Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer has posted a worrying update about his recovery from a brain tumour just months after he underwent a world-leading treatment based on his own research into melanoma.
Professor Scolyer and his colleague Professor Georgina Long, who are co-directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia, were jointly awarded the honour in January this year for their ground-breaking work studying the skin cancer.
There was extra interest in the respected researcher when he accepted the award after it was revealed he had been diagnosed with incurable Grade 4 brain cancer in June 2023.
The father-of-three’s diagnosis came after he suffered headaches and then a seizure while in Poland on holiday.
His cancer, a glioblastoma, is often referred to as ‘the worst’ sort of cancer because of its aggressive nature, with most sufferers surviving less than a year after diagnosis.
After undergoing experimental therapy based on his own research on melanoma, the 57-year-old announced in May this year that he had been cancer-free for almost a year.
‘I’m just thrilled and delighted… I couldn’t be happier,’ he posted to social media.
But in a post on Wednesday Professor Scolyer revealed the results of his latest MRI brain scan showed ‘a tiny new focus of enhancement’.
Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer has posted a worrying update about his recovery from a brain tumour just months after he used a world-leading treatment based on his own research into melanoma
Professor Scolyer posted two scan images, with the most recent on the right
‘Experts feel it is more likely reflective of post-radiotherapy change rather than glioblastoma recurrence,’ he wrote.
‘The plan is to have an early follow-up scan in 6-8 weeks time to monitor it & see if it changes.’
He signed off by thanking his neuro-oncology team and staff at Royal North Shore Hospital for ‘looking after me so well’.
Professor Scolyer became the world’s first brain cancer patient to have pre-surgery combination immunotherapy, which helps teach the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells.
He has widely shared his battle online to raise awareness of treatment options and progress being made on new methods.
Professor Scolyer and his colleague Professor Georgina Long, who are co-directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia, were jointly awarded the prestigious national honour in January this year in recognition of their ground-breaking work studying the skin cancer
After his initial brain scan Professor Scolyer said he knew its revelation of an area of light, cloudy matter in the top-right corner of his skull was concerning.
‘I’m no expert in radiology, but… in my heart I knew it was a tumour,’ he said.
The discovery spurred him to consider whether his research into melanoma might be relevant to treating his own brain cancer.
‘It didn’t sit right with me, to just accept certain death without trying something. It’s an incurable cancer? Well bugger that!’
Around 300,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year.
Many people commenting on his latest post shared stories of family members lost to the insidious disease.
After undergoing experimental therapy based on his own research on melanoma, the 57-year-old father-of-three announced in May this year that he had been cancer-free for almost a year
‘What a bloody warrior you are!’ one wrote in praise of Professor Scolyer.
‘My beautiful husband passed away in August from this horrendous disease only 12 months after being diagnosed,’ another person posted.
‘It such a cruel disease.
‘You are so inspirational, Richard, and thanks for sharing.’
It’s hoped Professor Scolyer’s experimental treatment will lead to clinical trials for other patients, potentially extending their lives.
Daily Mail Australia approached Professor Scolyer for comment.
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