Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer reveals further progression of brain cancer
Leading melanoma expert Professor Richard Scolyer has shared a defiant message despite revealing a disturbing discovery from an MRI scan of his brain.
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Renowned melanoma researcher and former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer has provided a worrying update about his health two months after he revealed his brain cancer had returned.
The 58-year-old posted a photo on his social media of a recent MRI scan on Monday, showing further progression of glioblastoma in the left side of his brain.
But despite the concerning prognosis, the professor – jointly named Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside fellow Australian cancer specialist Professor Georgina Long – was remaining defiant.
“Whilst this may not be the best direction to be heading with my changes, amazingly (to me), I still seem keen to keep living, loving and having fun, whenever possible,” he wrote in the caption.
“I feel like there are quite a few people on my team (including my family & friends) and they make me happy & proud.”
Professor Scolyer revealed in March that he had just months to live following the return of his brain cancer.
He was diagnosed with the same aggressive cancer in 2023 and volunteered for experimental treatment.
Following the treatment, he defied a six-month prognosis after he was told he was cancer-free in November last year.
“Unfortunately there is a larger volume of quickly growing brain cancer in my left brain. The prognosis is poor,” he shared on Instagram in March.
“Whilst some of my recurrent tumour was removed last week, some of it couldn’t be because of its site.”
He wrote that while some of the treatment he received may have made a difference, more clinical trials are needed.
He hoped the data produced by his treatment, and which has been published in Nature Medicine journal, “will make a difference for others.”
His most recent post on Monday was greeted by many well wishes who spoke of their admiration for Professor Scolyer.
“Without a doubt you are the most loved and respected man. We all are so proud of you,” one person wrote.
“Really hoping each day brings good things your way. I admire how you are living,” another commented.
Professor Scolyer and Professor Long were named Australians of the Year in recognition of the thousands of lives they have saved by pioneering new treatments for melanoma using immunotherapy.
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Originally published as Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer reveals further progression of brain cancer
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