Richard Scolyer, Cancer Expert Who ‘Became His Own Subject,’ Dies at 59

Supported by Richard Scolyer, Cancer Expert Who ‘Became His Own Subject,’ Dies at 59 His lifesaving melanoma research in Australia illuminated the treatment he underwent for his own brain tumor, an ordeal he courageously shared with the public. Dr. Richard Scolyer, a world-renowned Australian pathologist whose research into melanoma broadened the medical community’s understanding and diagnosis of what is called the country’s national cancer because of its prevalence, died on June 7 in Sydney. He was 59. His death was announced by Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, who said that Dr. Scolyer would receive a state funeral. In 2023, Dr. Scolyer was diagnosed with advanced glioblastoma and lived well past the median survival time of about a year for the aggressive brain cancer. In the three years since, he described the course of his experimental immunotherapy treatment on social media and in nationally televised interviews and also wrote “Brainstorm,” his 2024 autobiography, with the journalist Garry Maddox. “The cancer specialist who became his own subject, Professor Scolyer walked his uncertain path, as he called it, with courage, determination and grace and his legacy will always be with us,” Mr. Albanese said after Dr. Scolyer’s death. Like many Australians, Mr. Albanese had been aware of Dr. Scolyer’s melanoma research and the coverage of his brain cancer and treatment. In 2025, Mr. Albanese announced the Australian government’s contribution of $5.9 million to establish the Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a cancer-treatment center in Camperdown, a suburb of Sydney. Related Content Advertisement