Tejal Somvanshi
Former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer says his battle with aggressive brain cancer is “getting closer to an end point,” as the federal government announces a $5.9 million commitment to establish a research position in his name.
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, Professor Scolyer described his health journey as “tough” since being diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023. “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. “I guess there’s an end point, and who knows how far it is away. But we’re definitely getting closer.”
The Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research will be established at Sydney’s Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a cancer treatment center named after surgeon Chris O’Brien, who died from a brain tumour. The position will focus on speeding up research, expanding clinical trials, and improving outcomes for patients with brain cancer.
This funding will support a professorial chair position along with postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, PhD scholarships, and research costs. The initiative involves partnerships with the University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Brain cancer remains a deadly disease in Australia, with an estimated 1,924 new diagnoses and 1,579 deaths in 2023. It kills more Australians under 40 than any other cancer type, with survival rates today similar to where melanoma was 15 years ago.
Professor Scolyer, a renowned pathologist who was named joint Australian of the Year alongside Professor Georgina Long for their melanoma research, became the first person worldwide to receive combination immunotherapy before surgery and a personalized vaccine to treat his glioblastoma.
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“I want to make a difference for people, and I’ve dedicated my life to doing that,” Scolyer said. “My name to it or not, that’s not where the difference happens.” The funding builds on other Australian Government investments in brain cancer research, including $50 million for the Australian Brain Cancer Mission and $83.9 million through the National Health Medical Research Council and Cancer Australia.
Prime Minister Albanese praised Professor Scolyer as “an extraordinary Australian” whose “skill, tenacity, and courage” have driven national progress. Health Minister Mark Butler emphasized the Chair’s goal to “shift the dial” on brain cancer outcomes, noting the disease’s high mortality rate and stagnant survival rates.
For Scolyer, who has applied his extensive melanoma research knowledge to his own treatment, the ultimate aim is helping others. “There were many challenges with brain cancer that couldn’t be addressed in the past but can potentially be tackled now,” he said. “So I sincerely hope that’s what happens over the next few years.”
Professor Scolyer and Professor Long’s work has already transformed melanoma treatment, with nearly 60% of advanced melanoma patients now surviving compared to dismal rates previously. The hope is that similar breakthroughs can be achieved for brain cancer through this new research initiative.
The government announcement represents a significant step toward advancing brain cancer research in Australia, potentially offering new hope for future patients with this devastating disease. Professor Scolyer’s personal journey and professional contributions continue to inspire the medical community across the country and beyond.
