Former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer says his battle with aggressive brain cancer is “getting closer” to an “end point”.<\/p>\n
The renowned pathologist was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023.<\/p>\n
Despite being given just six to eight months to live, he managed to stave off the disease for almost two years with world-first experimental immunotherapy before the cancer returned earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Professor Scolyer described his health journey as “tough”.<\/p>\n
“I had a great period after I was initially diagnosed and could enjoy life, but I’ve had a few recurrences of the tumour,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I guess there’s an end point, and who knows how far it is away. But we’re definitely getting closer.”<\/p>\n
Professor Scolyer made the comments as the federal government announced a position will be named in his honour at cancer treatment centre, The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, in Sydney’s inner suburbs.<\/p>\n
The Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research is aimed at speeding up research into the disease, along with expanding clinical trials and improving outcomes for patients.<\/p>\n
$5.9 million of federal funding is being put towards establishing the role.<\/p>\n
The centre in Camperdown is named after head and neck surgeon Chris O’Brien, who died following a three-year battle with an aggressive brain tumour.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Professor Scolyer recently finished City 2 Surf in two hours and 21 minutes. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Professor Scolyer said he had a “big impact” on his career.<\/p>\n
“He mentored me, we researched together, we did a lot of things,” he said.<\/p>\n
“For him to end up getting brain cancer and passing away from it, and then to follow in his footsteps many years down the track has been heartbreaking.”<\/p>\n
Professor Scolyer was named the joint Australian of the Year alongside Georgina Long in 2024 for their research into advanced melanoma, which has been credited with significantly increasing the disease’s survival rates.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Richard Scolyer has battled the disease for two years. (Australian Story: Jack Fisher)<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese said Professor Scolyer had doubts about the new Chair bearing his namesake, even in the minutes before the announcement was made.<\/p>\n
“It really does say something about the humility of this extraordinary gentleman\u2026 that as late as just inside my office he was still saying ‘it shouldn’t really be named after me’.”<\/p>\n