Former Australian of the Year shares ‘worrying update’ After revealing his brain cancer – and shares his life advice with just a few months to live

Top cancer Richard Scolyer, researcher professor, has said that he is ‘worried’ about the results of the first MRI scan he has had since his stage returned four brain cancer.

The Australian of the Year was in 2024 Diagnosed with an ‘incurable’ degree four brain cancer in June 2023 after he had suffered a headache and attacks on vacation.

The 58-year-old had experimental treatment based on melanoma science and did not experience any signs of recurrence of cancer for almost two years.

The treatment was developed by Georgina Long of the Melanoma Institute, which jointly received the Australian of Year Award with Professor Scolyer.

But in March of this year, three of three revealed that the cancer had returned. Earlier this week he shared that he might only have a few months or less to live.

The University of Sydney Academic On Friday shared his fears for the results of an MRI, the first ‘right’ scan he has undergone since the brain operation in March.

“Depending on what the scan shows, it will help choose the following forms of therapies that I can see where I have to go from here,” he said.

‘I think I am a bit up and down with all this that is going on, it is sometimes a tough journey. Sometimes I am happy to have fun, but some of the therapies have turned a little bit, so I can’t do some things I like to do.

Top cancer researcher Professor Richard Scolyer (shown on Friday) has admitted that he is ‘worried’ about the results of the first MRI scan he had since returned since his brain cancer returned

Professor Scolyer and his wife Katie (photo) have three children

‘I still have a good time at home with my children, they have been very nice, just like my beautiful woman who has Katie, who uses her incredible intellect to help me talk to different doctors about different available options.

‘Fingers crossed this operation is not so bad and we can continue with the following form of therapy and hopefully push things faster to try to open things to many, many patients who have glioblastoma.

‘To see if we can make a difference in the tumor. Things have not been that successful for a while, but hopefully things will go in the right direction. ‘

It only comes a few days after Professor Scolyer revealed that he might have months to live.

“I am still there and can still talk to you, so I am quite satisfied with that,” Professor Scolyer told the ABC News Breakfast on Thursday.

“Who knows how long I am. Could be months, could be less, “he said.

“I love my life. I love the interactions I have with so many people … I focused on the things I like to do. Spending more time with my family is number one, but also to contribute to society. It is something that I did for a very long time. ‘

The professor also shared some life advice for Australians in the light of a terminal disease and insisted that he ‘kept’ his life, even though he was demolished.

Professor Scolyer and Georgina Long jointly received the Australian of Year Award in 2024

He revealed in March of this year that his brain cancer had returned – and he may have been living for months

The former Australian of the Year has undergone brain surgery in March of this year

‘Enjoy your life. Be passionate about it, “he said.

“Enjoy hanging around with the people you love, and yes, enjoy it.”

Professor Scolyer was initially diagnosed with a glioblastoma, which has a particularly aggressive nature – most patients survive less than a year.

The majority of the tumor was stripped shortly after the diagnosis.

Then follow a series of experimental therapies based on his own melanoma research, including immunotherapy, ‘debulking’ surgery and a ‘cancer vaccine’.

In May last year, the Professor of the University of Sydney stated that he was cancer -free for almost 12 months.

But five months later, the decorated scientist revealed that an MRI had shown a point of care. He underwent an exploratory surgery that confirmed the diagnosis.

The recipient of Australia from 2021 remains philosophical about his journey and explains that he “just wants to make a difference.”

Professor Scolyer is also a productive author who has written more than 700 publications and book chapters about melanomompathology.

He has received a reputation as one of the world’s leading experts in the field of cancer.