Sad update after former Australian of the Year was dealt devastating cancer diagnosis

World renowned cancer researcher Professor Richard Scolyer has revealed he may only have a few months to live after his own cancer returned this year.

The 2024 Australian of the Year, 58, was diagnosed with an 'incurable' grade four brain cancer in June 2023 after he suffered headaches and seizures while on holiday.

The 58-year-old had experimental treatment based on melanoma science and experienced no sign of cancer recurrence for almost two years.

The treatment was developed by Georgina Long from the Melanoma Institute, who was jointly given the Australian of Year award with Professor Scolyer.

Sadly, in March this year, he revealed the cancer had returned.

'I'm still here and still able to chat to you so I'm pretty pleased about that,' Professor Scolyer told ABC News Breakfast on Thursday.

'Who knows how long I've got. Could be months, could be less,' he said.

'I love my life. I love the interactions I have with so many people ... I have focused down on the things that I like doing. Spending more time with my family is number one, but also contributing to society. It's something I've done for a long, long time.'

Professor Scolyer had initially been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, which has a particularly aggressive nature - most sufferers survive less than a year.

The bulk of the tumour was stripped shortly after the diagnosis.

Then followed a series of experimental therapies based on melanoma research, including immunotherapy, 'debulking' surgery and a 'cancer vaccine'.

In May last year, the University of Sydney professor declared that he'd had no sign of cancer recurrence for nearly 12 months.

But five months later, the decorated scientist revealed an MRI had shown an area of concern.

He underwent exploratory surgery which confirmed the cancer had returned.

The 2021 Order of Australia recipient remains philosophical about his journey, stating that he 'just wants to make a difference'.

He is a prolific author having penned more than 700 publications and book chapters on melanoma pathology, which garnered him a reputation as one of the world's leading experts in the field.

On Wednesday, his book of a different kind - about his own cancer fight titled 'Brainstorm' - was awarded the Social Impact Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards in Melbourne.

He co-authored it with journalist Garry Maddox and said, when he was approached about the idea, he at first assumed it would be a depressing read but that it was actually quite uplifting.

'You get to talk about whole aspects of life and it's a lot of fun reminiscing on things, particularly when you're younger, the fun that you have,' he said.

He is hoping the book will spark more discussion and research into brain cancer treatments.

The book's goal, according to its blurb on the award page, is to 'lead social change and raise awareness by connecting the wider medical community with readers and research institutions'.

He pointed to the dramatic improvement in the prognosis for melanoma patients compared to a decade ago, courtesy of the research in the area.

According to the Royal Australian College of Pathologists, Professor Scolyer and Professor Long's work on melanoma treatment has 'saved thousands of lives'.

'Devising this world-first experimental treatment for my type of brain cancer was bold,' Professor Scolyer said during his Australian of the Year speech.

'For me, the decision to take on Georgina's ground-breaking plan was a no-brainer. Here was an opportunity for us to crack another incurable cancer and make a difference.

'If not for me, then for others.'