'It could actually make me die': Doctor's ultimate sacrifice amid cancer battle
There are very few people you meet who actually make a difference. Professor Richard Scolyer is one of them.
As the world's leading melanoma pathologist, he's saved thousands from a certain death sentence.
Now in a cruel twist he's been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.
Professor Richard Scolyer is the world's leading melanoma pathologist. A Current Affair
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In a world first, Richard is using everything he knows about skin cancer to save his own life or buy himself more time.
"It could actually make me die more quickly and even have a more miserable death," Richard said.
"It's scary what the future holds … to be now faced with certain death in a relatively short period of time."
Professor Richard Scolyer is risking the little time he has left with his family. A Current Affair
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Just two months ago Richard was feeling terrific, travelling Europe and lecturing at medical conferences.
"We went on the hike, went above the snow line - incredible scenery in the mountains in Poland. But the next day when I woke up, I had a headache, a little bit confused and then ultimately I had a seizure," Richard said.
"Honestly, I felt normal. I didn't have any symptoms at all ... even in retrospect."
Professor Richard Scolyer has incurable brain cancer. A Current Affair
Professor Richard Scolyer is being backed by an incredible team at the Melanoma Institute of Australia. A Current Affair
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After flying back to Australia and undergoing multiple biopsies and scans, the worst possible prognosis was confirmed.
"The brain cancer is called glioblastoma … the sort of subtype of brain cancer I've got is the worst one," Richard said.
"Ultimately, everyone dies from it, no one gets cured. Pretty much … six to nine months is probably the average survival."
Professor Richard Scolyer is trialing a radical new treatment on his deadly brain tumour. A Current Affair
Professor Richard Scolyer spoke to A Current Affair host Ally Langdon. A Current Affair
Now, Richard is using a special type of combination immunotherapy he helped pioneer with his colleague and best friend Professor Georgina Long, on his brain.
Georgina said "the new treatment plan is about giving drug therapy, immunotherapy".
"He's having combination immunotherapy before the definitive surgery and that's never been done," Georgina said.
"So it's not just cowboy stuff. It is very thoughtful, scientific; it's got to be based in science."
Co-director of the Melanoma Institute of Australia, Professor Georgina Long. A Current Affair
If it doesn't work for Richard, the research gained will be invaluable for future brain cancer patients.
For Richard, who has spent his life dedicated to medical research, he admits this could be his last big contribution.
"I want to give it a crack and see if they ... make a difference for me and ultimately, other brain cancer patients," he said.
Professor Richard Scolyer. A Current Affair
"I would love it if some of our knowledge and discoveries in melanoma - it's a small chance that it might actually work - but wow!"
Having spent time with Professor Richard Scolyer and his team, you can't help but feel inspired.
Richard is crossing his fingers and his toes and hoping for a miracle.
"I don't want to die ... I'm not ready to die yet. I'm too young to die. I love my life. I really do," he said.
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