'Absolutely terrified': Scolyer's doctor reveals fears of experimental therapy

In a farewell letter to all Australians Richard Scolyer said he never "sugar-coated" his cancer journey. (Australian Story) Link copiedShareShare articleOn the first day of the epic fundraising bike ride that professor Richard Scolyer undertook just 11 weeks before he died of brain cancer, he realised one leg of the route fell short of his 100-kilometre-per-day goal. The fact the route he'd just finished was a climb from Tasmania's Devonport to Cradle Mountain was of no consequence to Richard. He wanted to ride at least 100km a day, so he would. It's a telling insight into the goal setting and determination of Richard, 59, the driven and brilliant pathologist who died last week of the terminal brain cancer that he so publicly documented. With wife Katie by his side, Richard Scolyer completed the Tasmanian leg of the 1,400km Tour de Cure bike race just 11 weeks before he died. (Australian Story: Owain Stia-James) His wife, doctor Katie Nicoll, says he was determined to complete the four-day ride to raise money for cancer research in the Tour de Cure. "You weren't going to stop him, regardless of how tired or otherwise he got," Katie said at the end of the race. Richard brought the same unwavering attitude to his decision to become “patient zero” in a radical medical approach after being diagnosed in June 2023 with glioblastoma IDH-wildtype, the "worst of the worst" brain cancer. Richard Scolyer with his Tour de Cure crew: brother-in-law Charlie Nicoll, brother Mark Scolyer and son Matt Scolyer. (Supplied: Instagram/ @profrscolyer) Before his diagnosis, Richard, a world-renowned pathologist specialising in skin cancer, was part of a team led by medical oncologist Georgina Long that pioneered the use of combination immunotherapy to treat melanoma before surgically removing the cancer, not after. The innovation has saved thousands of lives and led to the duo being named Australian of the Year in 2024. When Georgina suggested using a similar approach to treat Richard's brain cancer to try to increase his life expectancy — or, they hoped, even cure him — he jumped at the chance. Passionate about people and the power of medical research, melanoma expert Professor Richard Scolyer leaves behind a legacy of pioneering cancer treatment. Helen Wheeler, a medical oncologist from Royal North Shore Hospital who also treated Richard, tells Australian Story that Richard's willingness to be "patient zero" in pursuit of a breakthrough for brain cancer came with risk, such as brain inflammation and neurological damage. But neither Richard nor Georgina could be dissuaded. "They were absolutely determined they weren't going to get talked out of it in any way, shape or form," Helen says. Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long, then co-medical directors of the Melanoma Institute Australia, address the National Press Club in 2023. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi) Georgina designed a rigorous treatment regime and Richard, an ultra-fit triathlete before his diagnosis, coped well with it for many months, continuing to run and ride. But Helen admits it was a worrying period. "I was absolutely terrified for the first six weeks or so of treatment he could end up with all this toxicity I've seen in other patients on these medications for other cancers, and we wouldn't be able to do much at all from a conventional treatment point of view," she says. "So, he was remarkable in the fact that he had very little side effects where other patients can have terrible side effects. And he got through it." Helen Wheeler was one of Richard Scolyer's oncologists during his cancer treatment. (Australian Story) Throughout it all, Richard kept the public informed of his progress via social media, building a strong following of friends and strangers who were impressed by his openness. When Richard shared in March 2025 that the cancer had returned, his followers greeted the news with sadness and an outpouring of love. "I'm very touched by the kindness of many people," Richard told Australian Story in his last major TV interview, with Katie by his side. "Kindness. Support. I've enjoyed it. I've loved it." Richard Scolyer looks at wife Katie during his final major TV interview. (Australian Story) Richard was incredibly grateful to have outlived the odds. The median length of survival for his form of brain cancer is about 12 to 14 months. Richard made it to three years. That extra time, Richard said, had helped him become more accepting of his fate. "I'm obviously different, I've obviously got some problems but the fact I'm still here and can still contribute, I just can't be happier," he said. "I don't want to die at the age I am now but … I'm more accepting that it's going to happen to me." On June 7, with Katie and his three children, Emily, Matthew and Lucy, by his side, Richard Scolyer died. But the science that Richard helped generate as patient zero has a long way to run. A few days before Richard died, Katie posted these images on his

'Absolutely terrified': Scolyer's doctor reveals fears of experimental therapy

Key takeaways

More in international