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Pioneering Australian doctor Richard Scolyer dies after brain cancer battle
Pioneering Australian doctor Richard Scolyer has died, three years after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.
Scolyer, 59, made global headlines for his decision to undergo a risky world-first experimental treatment for his glioblastoma at the hands of his friend Professor Georgina Long – based on the pair's own scientific breakthroughs in skin cancer.
Their work on advanced melanoma – once a death sentence – has saved countless lives, and their encouraging findings in treating Scolyer's brain tumour have triggered an early stage clinical trial in the US.
"I wanted to keep contributing, even in my darkest hour," Scolyer said in an open letter announcing his passing.
'What a legacy': Pioneering researcher Richard Scolyer dies aged 59
Richard Scolyer emphasised the importance of making every moment count. (Australian Story: Tom Hancock)
Former Australian of the Year Professor Richard Scolyer has died aged 59 after fighting the "worst of the worst brain cancers".
His legacy: fast-tracking revolutionary cancer treatment by volunteering to be "patient zero" in a radical approach to treating his tumour.
Richard Scolyer's greatest legacy will be opening up new treatment pathways for future brain cancer patients. (Australian Story: Tom Hancock)
Scolyer fought the aggressive brain cancer for almost three years, defying the terrible survival odds.
"I'm just amazed, to be honest, that I'm still here," he told Australian Story in January 2026. "The average survival is in the order of 12 months for the type of cancer that I've got. But to still be here more than two and a half years later, that's incredible."
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I’d be delighted to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who ‘gave it a crack’
An open letter to all Australians from Professor Richard A Scolyer AO
My fellow Australians, I pen this letter as a final goodbye to all those I have had the immense privilege of loving, sharing life’s adventures with, working alongside and meeting during what can only be described as a life filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion.
My intention is for this letter to be published upon my passing – as my final farewell. I’ve spent the last three years being open and honest about my journey with glioblastoma (brain cancer), in part to be transparent about what cancer patients and their families go through, and in part to provide hope and inspiration that we can and should continue to push boundaries to propel the cancer field forward.
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