Latest news with #ProfessorScolyer
ABC News
14-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Professor Richard Scolyer completes 250th Parkrun, a goal set after cancer diagnosis
Former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer has completed his 250th Parkrun — a milestone he set after he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2023. The renowned melanoma researcher was among hundreds of runners who took part in the Greenway Parkrun at Haberfield in Sydney's inner west on Saturday morning. Professor Scolyer, who put himself forward as "patient zero" for revolutionary brain cancer treatment, crossed the finish line to applause and cheers from the crowd. Shortly after he finished the race, light rain began to fall and a rainbow formed over the reserve. When speaking to the media, he said 250 Parkruns was a "big goal" he set for himself. "I did a lot of Parkruns in the early 2000s but then as the kids go through various parts of their life you stop doing it," he said. "And then when I got sick again I wanted to try and get to 250. "I guess it's part of my personality. Bit embarrassing, but wanting to get to 250 was something that pushed me along." Professor Scolyer said it was "crazy" to see such a huge turnout at the run and that he was "very happy" to complete his goal. Professor Scolyer said he had doubts about whether he would reach the major milestone. "To be honest, I never thought I'd get there," he said. In a post to his more than 20,000 followers on X earlier this week, he wrote that it was a goal "I wasn't sure I'd reach" and that he was excited to be able to take part in the run. "So it's with a huge amount of gratitude to my family, friends, and medical team that I'll be celebrating this achievement," he said. The post on social media came after a long period of no updates, which Professor Scolyer said was due to the impact of his latest round of cancer treatment, but that he now felt "like the fog has lifted a bit". Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma in 2023 and was given just six to eight months to live. But an experimental immunotherapy treatment he was given managed to keep the cancer at bay for almost two years with no recurrence. However, he revealed in March that after undergoing scans, he had received the heartbreaking news that his brain cancer had come back. In May, he had another setback, revealing that his first proper scan since the surgery showed the glioblastoma had progressed and it was getting "harder to treat". He told ABC News Breakfast last month he wasn't sure how much time he had left. "I'm still here and still able to chat to you so I'm pretty pleased about that," he said. "Who knows how long I've got. Could be months, could be less." Professor Scolyer said he's focused on spending the time he has left doing the things he loves most. "I love my life. I love the interactions I have with so many people. "I guess in reality, I have focused down on the things that I like doing. Spending more time with my family is number one, but also contributing to society. It's something I've done for a long, long time. "I've been a specialist for more than 25 years now. So a lot of things that I've done I don't want to give up just like that." Professor Scolyer has been very public and honest about his prognosis and journey through brain cancer treatment in interviews, social media and in his recent memoir, Brainstorm. His memoir, which was co-written with Garry Maddox, won the Social Impact Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards in Melbourne last month.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Still keen to keep living': Eminent pathologist Professor Richard Scolyer reveals cancer has progressed
Acclaimed melanoma expert and former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer has shared a heartbreaking update on his battle with brain cancer – revealing the disease is advancing again. Professor Scolyer, 58, was diagnosed with the aggressive and incurable glioblastoma in 2023 and initially given just eight months to live. However, after undergoing experimental immunotherapy based on melanoma research, his cancer remained at bay for 18 months. In a social media post on Monday, Professor Scolyer confirmed a recent MRI scan had shown further progression of the tumour on the left side of his brain. 'While 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 on social media. 'I feel like there are quite a few people on my team (including my family & friends) and they make me happy and proud.' The prominent cancer researcher, jointly named Australian of the Year in 2024 alongside fellow Melanoma Institute Australia co-director Professor Georgina Long, has remained remarkably candid and optimistic throughout his treatment journey. In February, Professor Scolyer announced the cancer had returned, prompting him to undergo surgery in March to remove as much of the tumour as possible. He later explained that while the procedure successfully removed a significant portion of the mass, 'little tentacles' remained and would require additional treatment to 'mop up' the remaining cancer cells. 'Depending on what the scan shows … that will help choose what are the next forms of therapy that I can have to see where we need to go from here,' he said at the time. He also acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of ongoing treatment, admitting he had been feeling 'a little up and down' due to side effects, though he continued to cherish time spent with his wife Katie and their children. 'Sometimes I'm happy to have fun, but some of the therapies have knocked me around a bit, so I can't do some of the things I love doing,' he said. 'I'm still having a fun time at home with my kids, they've been very kind, as well as my beautiful wife Katie has, who's been using her incredible intellect to help me speak to different doctors about various options that are available.' Professor Scolyer said he expects to undergo another operation and remains hopeful about future treatments. 'Fingers crossed this operation isn't so bad and we can move forward with the next form of therapy and hopefully push things along faster to try and get things open up for many, many patients who have got glioblastoma,' he said.
