4 hours ago
3
Professor Richard Scolyer, the former Australian of the Year who undertook an experimental treatment for his highly aggressive brain cancer, has died at the age of 59.
His family confirmed his death in Sydney on Sunday.
Scolyer kept defying expectations after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer – IDH wild type glioblastoma – in mid-2023.
Median survival was just 14 months but he lasted three years.
Over those three years, the courage and openness Scolyer showed in talking about cancer and the ups and downs of his treatment won over many Australians whose lives had also been touched by the disease.
Scolyer, a world-recognised pathologist and skin cancer researcher, was a senior staff specialist in anatomical pathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and conjoint professor at the University of Sydney.
When he was diagnosed, he was also co-medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia with Professor Georgina Long. Knowing there was no cure for Scolyer’s glioblastoma, Long proposed an experimental treatment using what they had learnt from successfully using immunotherapy on patients with advanced melanoma.
His world-first treatment started with a combination of three immunotherapy drugs before a “debulking” operation to remove as much of the tumour as possible. He had more immunotherapy, a personalised cancer vaccine and radiotherapy after the operation.
“For me, the decision to take on Georgina’s groundbreaking plan was a no-brainer,” he said. “Here was an opportunity for us to crack another incurable cancer and make a difference – if not for me, then for others.”
During this treatment, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jointly named Scolyer and Long 2024 Australians of the Year, recognising that they had saved tens of thousands of lives by revolutionising melanoma treatment at the institute and that they had devoted themselves to finding a breakthrough cure for brain cancer.
While continuing to lead a productive life, Scolyer learnt in March last year that the tumour had grown back after he had had surgery to explore concerning changes to his brain that scans had revealed.
“The prognosis is not good for something like this,” he said afterwards. “It’s in months, not years. It’s not unexpected but it’s still devastating.”
Scolyer made the most of the 14 months since the recurrence.
He was determined to live as full a life as possible and to enjoy whatever time he had left with his family, wife Katie and children Emily, Matthew and Lucy, and his friends.
He also wanted to push for more funding for brain cancer research.
“The biggest thing is to try and make a difference in this field of cancer,” he said. “It’s not funded well enough to push things along. It’s a difficult tumour to get into – it’s inside your brain, it’s got big bones, skull, around it. The brain itself doesn’t have spare cells that are not so vital there.
“The way some of the tumours grow is through subtle, peripheral, infiltrative growth. It’s a tough disease to do something about. We’ve got to find ways to do it better.”
In February, Scolyer was excited to hear news that he had been hoping for since starting his experimental treatment: a world-first clinical trial had commenced in the US to determine whether it can revolutionise the approach to glioblastoma.
“It takes a long time to get trials over the line but to be actually recruiting patients in the United States – and hopefully here soon – means we can test out the drugs to see if they make a difference,” he said.
A keen triathlete, Scolyer was inspirational after the recurrence in reaching his goal of 250 Parkruns; joining his family in running the City2Surf; and then cycling four stages of the Tour de Cure in Tasmania just three months ago.
As well as the clinical trials, his legacy includes more awareness of brain cancer and more funding for research into the disease that claimed his life.
The federal government has committed $5.9 million to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. The aim is to speed up research into the disease, expand clinical trials and improve outcomes for patients.
Gail O’Brien, wife of Chris O’Brien, who was diagnosed with the same aggressive brain cancer as Scolyer 17 years prior, said it had been a true privilege working with Scolyer.
“He embodied a uniquely Australian approach to advocacy – deeply personal, highly collaborative, and relentlessly focused on improving outcomes for those facing the most challenging cancers,” O’Brien said. “Through his extraordinary contributions, he has transformed a personal diagnosis into a powerful national movement for change.”
University of Sydney professor John Thompson said Scolyer was recognised internationally as a brilliant scientist and researcher and that his research into medicine and pathology had produced huge benefits for countless cancer patients worldwide.
“Yet despite all the accolades that he received, Richard remained a humble man, that cheerful lad from Launceston, devoted to his family and an inspiration to his wide circle of friends and colleagues – and to the nation. He will be remembered as a truly great Australian,” Thompson said.
Scolyer, in a “final farewell” letter that he wanted published upon his passing, said: “If my legacy was to continue beyond these words, I would be delighted and humbled to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who ‘gave it a crack’, and in doing so, inspired others to pursue their dreams and passions with humility, love and compassion.”
The family has said that donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the following organisations: The Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse: https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au or the Brain Cancer Group to support brain cancer patients: www.braincancergroup.com.au.
Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here.
