Professor Richard Scolyer, a distinguished medical expert and co-recipient of the 2024 Australian of the Year award, has recently undergone complex surgery to address changes in his brain following his battle with an “incurable” glioblastoma—a type of aggressive brain tumour. At 58 years of age, Scolyer revealed on Instagram that recent scans indicated new developments that could be linked to either his previous treatment or the recurrence of the tumour.
During a work conference abroad, Scolyer experienced a seizure, leading to his diagnosis. Initially given a prognosis of just six to nine months, he has subsequently risked his life by partaking in experimental treatments derived from his and Professor Georgina Long’s research on melanoma, which has shown promise in combating his condition. He is now in the process of recovering from the latest surgery performed at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and remains focused on his recuperation.
Over the past two decades, advancements in brain cancer treatment have been minimal; however, Scolyer and Long have applied their extensive knowledge gained from melanoma therapies to his own case. Moreover, he made history by being the first brain cancer patient to receive pre-surgery combination immunotherapy. Thanking his supporters, Scolyer continues to confront this formidable disease with resilience and determination.