1 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:16,660 Hi. 2 00:00:16,660 --> 00:00:16,860 You might remember last year, Hi. 3 00:00:16,860 --> 00:00:17,980 You might remember last year, 4 00:00:17,980 --> 00:00:21,020 we brought you the story of Professor Richard Scolyer, 5 00:00:21,020 --> 00:00:21,260 we brought you the story the melanoma expert 6 00:00:21,260 --> 00:00:22,500 the melanoma expert 7 00:00:22,500 --> 00:00:22,700 the melanoma expert dealing with brain cancer. 8 00:00:22,700 --> 00:00:24,420 dealing with brain cancer. 9 00:00:24,420 --> 00:00:27,940 Since then, he and his research colleague went on to be named 10 00:00:27,940 --> 00:00:29,980 the 2024 Australians of the Year, 11 00:00:29,980 --> 00:00:32,900 not just for their groundbreaking work in skin cancer, 12 00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:33,140 not just for their groundbreaking which is saving countless lives, 13 00:00:33,140 --> 00:00:35,380 which is saving countless lives, 14 00:00:35,380 --> 00:00:39,660 but also because of their efforts trialling a revolutionary but risky 15 00:00:39,660 --> 00:00:42,980 treatment for Professor Scolyer's tumour. 16 00:00:42,980 --> 00:00:46,580 It's now ten months since his original diagnosis for an illness 17 00:00:46,580 --> 00:00:50,420 that usually carries a life expectancy of up to 14 months, 18 00:00:50,420 --> 00:00:52,940 and so, of course, everyone is desperate to know 19 00:00:52,940 --> 00:00:54,580 how things are going. 20 00:01:03,780 --> 00:01:04,780 RICHARD: Morning. 21 00:01:04,780 --> 00:01:08,940 So, it's now ten months out since my tumour first presented. 22 00:01:08,940 --> 00:01:09,180 So, it's now ten months out Thank you for picking us up. 23 00:01:09,180 --> 00:01:10,620 Thank you for picking us up. 24 00:01:10,620 --> 00:01:14,180 We know the average time to recurrence for the nasty sort 25 00:01:14,180 --> 00:01:17,500 of brain tumour I've got is about six months, 26 00:01:17,500 --> 00:01:19,900 so I'm a little nervous about whether anything 27 00:01:19,900 --> 00:01:20,140 so I'm a little nervous gets picked up. 28 00:01:20,140 --> 00:01:21,020 gets picked up. 29 00:01:22,100 --> 00:01:24,780 Yeah, just part of the journey that I'm on. 30 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:30,700 The treatment I'm having has never been tried before in brain cancer. 31 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:32,140 No-one knew what it was going to do. 32 00:01:32,140 --> 00:01:33,660 People were nervous. 33 00:01:33,660 --> 00:01:36,540 But when you're faced with a certain death, 34 00:01:36,540 --> 00:01:36,780 But when you're faced it's a no-brainer for me. 35 00:01:36,780 --> 00:01:39,500 it's a no-brainer for me. 36 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:42,460 I'm on my way for another MRI scan, 37 00:01:42,460 --> 00:01:42,700 looking for...recurrent tumour's I'm on my way for another MRI scan, 38 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:46,140 looking for...recurrent tumour's the main thing, 39 00:01:46,140 --> 00:01:46,380 looking for...recurrent tumour's but also treatment effects. 40 00:01:46,380 --> 00:01:48,180 but also treatment effects. 41 00:01:49,420 --> 00:01:51,740 MAN: People all around the world will be watching very closely, 42 00:01:51,740 --> 00:01:51,980 MAN: People all around the world because if they can have success, 43 00:01:51,980 --> 00:01:54,380 because if they can have success, 44 00:01:54,380 --> 00:01:57,860 it will revolutionise the treatment of brain cancer. 45 00:01:58,620 --> 00:02:02,140 It will be a breakthrough, a medical breakthrough. 46 00:02:04,380 --> 00:02:07,740 If the scan's clear today, it'll be a celebration in my heart, 47 00:02:07,740 --> 00:02:07,980 If the scan's clear today, and hopefully many other people. 48 00:02:07,980 --> 00:02:10,300 and hopefully many other people. 49 00:02:11,340 --> 00:02:12,860 I can enjoy more of my life, 50 00:02:12,860 --> 00:02:15,620 and can help future brain cancer patients. 51 00:02:27,780 --> 00:02:30,940 Another MRI scan done, 52 00:02:30,940 --> 00:02:31,180 Garry, so, yeah, Another MRI scan done, 53 00:02:31,180 --> 00:02:34,060 Garry, so, yeah, wait for the result later on... 54 00:02:34,060 --> 00:02:37,060 ..later on, hopefully today, or during the course of the week. 55 00:02:37,060 --> 00:02:37,300 ..later on, hopefully today, But fingers crossed. 56 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:38,100 But fingers crossed. 57 00:02:39,220 --> 00:02:40,940 Thanks for your support, Garry. 58 00:02:40,940 --> 00:02:41,980 I really appreciate it. 59 00:02:49,180 --> 00:02:52,700 GIRL: Dad hasn't slowed down since he was diagnosed. 60 00:02:53,660 --> 00:02:55,340 Sorry about that. Let's do it. 61 00:02:55,340 --> 00:02:55,620 It would be really easy for him to just sort of stop Sorry about that. Let's do it. 62 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:58,140 It would be really easy for him to just sort of stop 63 00:02:58,140 --> 00:03:02,300 all of the things that made him who he is 64 00:03:02,300 --> 00:03:02,580 all of the things that made him who he is and put all of his worry into thinking about the cancer, 65 00:03:02,580 --> 00:03:07,780 and put all of his worry into thinking about the cancer, 66 00:03:07,780 --> 00:03:08,020 and put all of his worry but it hasn't stopped him at all. 67 00:03:08,020 --> 00:03:09,380 but it hasn't stopped him at all. 68 00:03:11,900 --> 00:03:15,460 WOMAN: Richard is my closest colleague, 69 00:03:15,460 --> 00:03:18,060 but he's also one of my best friends. 70 00:03:19,620 --> 00:03:22,300 Getting into training for a triathlon, that's... 71 00:03:22,300 --> 00:03:24,820 Richard brought me into that, and I love it. 72 00:03:28,380 --> 00:03:33,380 When Richard was diagnosed, some of my close colleagues were saying, 73 00:03:33,380 --> 00:03:33,660 "Don't be Richard's medical oncologist, just be his friend," When Richard was diagnosed, some of my close colleagues were saying, 74 00:03:33,660 --> 00:03:36,500 "Don't be Richard's medical oncologist, just be his friend," 75 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:36,740 "Don't be Richard's medical and I'm thinking, "Stuff that." 76 00:03:36,740 --> 00:03:38,500 and I'm thinking, "Stuff that." 77 00:03:38,500 --> 00:03:40,980 I'm not using 15 years of my bloody hard work, 78 00:03:40,980 --> 00:03:44,220 like, hard, long hours' work not to apply it to my friend. 79 00:03:44,220 --> 00:03:44,460 like, hard, long hours' work Where are the rules here? 80 00:03:44,460 --> 00:03:45,420 Where are the rules here? 81 00:03:47,580 --> 00:03:49,980 WOMAN: Richard and Georgina are the co-medical directors 82 00:03:49,980 --> 00:03:50,220 WOMAN: Richard and Georgina are of the Melanoma Institute Australia, 83 00:03:50,220 --> 00:03:52,660 of the Melanoma Institute Australia, 84 00:03:52,660 --> 00:03:55,980 one a pathologist, one a medical oncologist. 85 00:03:55,980 --> 00:03:56,260 They have spent decades pioneering new treatments one a pathologist, one a medical oncologist. 86 00:03:56,260 --> 00:03:59,420 They have spent decades pioneering new treatments 87 00:03:59,420 --> 00:03:59,660 They have spent decades for melanoma patients. 88 00:03:59,660 --> 00:04:01,060 for melanoma patients. 89 00:04:01,060 --> 00:04:01,260 for melanoma patients. Richard Scolyer's my name. 90 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:03,020 Richard Scolyer's my name. 91 00:04:03,020 --> 00:04:05,220 Nice to meet you. Yeah, nice to meet you. 92 00:04:05,220 --> 00:04:05,460 Nice to meet you. We've taken everything, 93 00:04:05,460 --> 00:04:07,300 We've taken everything, 94 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:07,540 absolutely every bit of knowledge We've taken everything, 95 00:04:07,540 --> 00:04:10,660 absolutely every bit of knowledge from melanoma, 96 00:04:10,660 --> 00:04:13,220 and we've thrown it at Richard's tumour. 97 00:04:14,340 --> 00:04:18,180 I'm in the surgical suite at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 98 00:04:18,180 --> 00:04:21,780 where I've actually worked for 25 years. 99 00:04:21,780 --> 00:04:22,060 I'm more than happy to be the guinea pig to do this. where I've actually worked for 25 years. 100 00:04:22,060 --> 00:04:25,300 I'm more than happy to be the guinea pig to do this. 101 00:04:25,300 --> 00:04:29,860 In fact, I see it as an opportunity to hopefully make my life better, 102 00:04:29,860 --> 00:04:33,580 but to blow open that brain cancer field and transform it, 103 00:04:33,580 --> 00:04:33,820 but to blow open that brain cancer for all brain cancer patients. 104 00:04:33,820 --> 00:04:36,060 for all brain cancer patients. 105 00:04:36,060 --> 00:04:39,540 I guess, in truth, I'm anxious and nervous 106 00:04:39,540 --> 00:04:40,580 about how it's going to turn out, 107 00:04:40,580 --> 00:04:43,060 but I know I'm in great hands, with a great team... 108 00:04:43,060 --> 00:04:45,420 It is dangerous. 109 00:04:45,420 --> 00:04:47,900 It may result in worse outcomes. 110 00:04:48,860 --> 00:04:51,380 But there's a lot of hope for Richard, 111 00:04:51,380 --> 00:04:51,620 But there's a lot of hope and I want him around. 112 00:04:51,620 --> 00:04:54,300 and I want him around. 113 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:56,740 I want him around, long-term. 114 00:05:03,820 --> 00:05:06,660 I remember, when I was a kid, I'd come up here every day 115 00:05:06,660 --> 00:05:07,860 in the summer holidays. 116 00:05:07,860 --> 00:05:09,660 It was a very Launceston thing, 117 00:05:09,660 --> 00:05:11,100 because you'd always come here, 118 00:05:11,100 --> 00:05:13,380 and there'd always be people you knew here. 119 00:05:14,900 --> 00:05:16,860 Richard's my younger brother. 120 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:19,900 We grew up in Riverside, in Launceston, Tasmania. 121 00:05:21,660 --> 00:05:27,180 Our parents took us on lots of travel and walking within Tasmania. 122 00:05:29,580 --> 00:05:31,820 Then did all the normal things that people did, 123 00:05:31,820 --> 00:05:34,100 kicking the footy, playing footy, riding bikes. 124 00:05:36,140 --> 00:05:40,780 Every summer, we'll go to stay in a caravan park in Ulverstone, 125 00:05:40,780 --> 00:05:41,020 Every summer, we'll go to stay on the north-west coast, 126 00:05:41,020 --> 00:05:43,300 on the north-west coast, 127 00:05:43,300 --> 00:05:45,780 and we'd breed our skin cancer, basically, 128 00:05:45,780 --> 00:05:48,180 by going to the beach, all day, every day, 129 00:05:48,180 --> 00:05:48,420 by going to the beach, all day, and playing cricket on the beach, 130 00:05:48,420 --> 00:05:50,140 and playing cricket on the beach, 131 00:05:50,140 --> 00:05:53,260 going for, I don't know, ten swims, sometimes, a day. 132 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:58,220 Richard studied medicine at the University of Tasmania, 133 00:05:58,220 --> 00:06:00,740 and then ultimately ended up in Sydney. 134 00:06:00,740 --> 00:06:03,260 MAN: Good morning, Richard. Morning, gentlemen. 135 00:06:03,260 --> 00:06:07,620 Tumour extends down into the reticular dermis 15mm. 136 00:06:07,620 --> 00:06:10,140 MAN: Richard quickly established himself 137 00:06:10,140 --> 00:06:10,420 as someone with an interest in melanoma, MAN: Richard quickly established himself 138 00:06:10,420 --> 00:06:13,620 as someone with an interest in melanoma, 139 00:06:13,620 --> 00:06:16,980 and I encouraged him to develop this interest. 140 00:06:16,980 --> 00:06:17,260 and I encouraged him to develop this interest. So really, Richard, this is a pretty nasty-looking tumour we have. 141 00:06:17,260 --> 00:06:20,260 So really, Richard, this is a pretty nasty-looking tumour we have. 142 00:06:20,260 --> 00:06:20,500 So really, Richard, this is a pretty Yeah, absolutely. It's... 143 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:21,780 Yeah, absolutely. It's... 144 00:06:21,780 --> 00:06:25,180 Now, Richard is undoubtedly one of the top melanoma pathologists 145 00:06:25,180 --> 00:06:25,420 Now, Richard is undoubtedly one in the world at the present time. 146 00:06:25,420 --> 00:06:26,860 in the world at the present time. 147 00:06:28,300 --> 00:06:31,420 MAN: The world's biggest melanoma research and treatment centre 148 00:06:31,420 --> 00:06:31,660 MAN: The world's biggest melanoma has opened in Sydney. 149 00:06:31,660 --> 00:06:32,820 has opened in Sydney. 150 00:06:34,020 --> 00:06:37,500 I joined the team in 2009 as a medical oncologist. 151 00:06:37,500 --> 00:06:39,540 At that time, there was nothing for melanoma, 152 00:06:39,540 --> 00:06:39,780 At that time, there was nothing no drug therapies. 153 00:06:39,780 --> 00:06:41,780 no drug therapies. 154 00:06:41,780 --> 00:06:43,300 Patients in my waiting room, 155 00:06:43,300 --> 00:06:43,540 I would only ever know them for 6 to 9 months, Patients in my waiting room, 156 00:06:43,540 --> 00:06:46,220 I would only ever know them for 6 to 9 months, 157 00:06:46,220 --> 00:06:46,460 because they died, for 6 to 9 months, 158 00:06:46,460 --> 00:06:47,780 because they died, 159 00:06:47,780 --> 00:06:48,020 because they died, and it was a rare patient who would survive beyond a year or two. 160 00:06:48,020 --> 00:06:52,340 and it was a rare patient who would survive beyond a year or two. 161 00:06:52,340 --> 00:06:54,620 MAN: It's an 82-year-old gentleman with an extensive history 162 00:06:54,620 --> 00:06:54,860 MAN: It's an 82-year-old gentleman of multi-recurrent... 163 00:06:54,860 --> 00:06:56,100 of multi-recurrent... 164 00:06:56,100 --> 00:06:57,860 WOMAN: It was essentially incurable, 165 00:06:57,860 --> 00:07:02,460 and that all changed with the use of immunotherapies in around 2010. 166 00:07:02,460 --> 00:07:05,540 So what's our opinion? Surgeons? Head and neck surgeon. 167 00:07:05,540 --> 00:07:05,780 So what's our opinion? With immunotherapy, 168 00:07:05,780 --> 00:07:06,900 With immunotherapy, 169 00:07:06,900 --> 00:07:10,860 we stimulate the immune system in a very specific way, 170 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:14,020 so that the immune system can see the enemy, 171 00:07:14,020 --> 00:07:14,260 so that the immune system that's the cancer, and kill it. 172 00:07:14,260 --> 00:07:16,340 that's the cancer, and kill it. 173 00:07:16,340 --> 00:07:18,620 OK? Happy with that? Everyone happy? 174 00:07:18,620 --> 00:07:22,420 15 years ago, if you had melanoma that had spread around your body, 175 00:07:22,420 --> 00:07:22,660 15 years ago, if you had melanoma the survival rates were terrible. 176 00:07:22,660 --> 00:07:25,180 the survival rates were terrible. 177 00:07:25,180 --> 00:07:25,420 Less than 5% of people were alive five years later, the survival rates were terrible. 178 00:07:25,420 --> 00:07:29,500 Less than 5% of people were alive five years later, 179 00:07:29,500 --> 00:07:35,260 and now, it's more than 55% of people alive five years later. 180 00:07:35,260 --> 00:07:35,540 and now, it's more than 55% of people alive five years later. Seems to be a lot of nodding around the room, Georgina. 181 00:07:35,540 --> 00:07:37,300 Seems to be a lot of nodding around the room, Georgina. 182 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:38,340 Yeah, OK, and that's... 183 00:07:38,340 --> 00:07:40,620 During that time, the institute grew, 184 00:07:40,620 --> 00:07:44,060 so did the drug therapies that worked in melanoma, 185 00:07:44,060 --> 00:07:44,300 so did the drug therapies so did the research program, 186 00:07:44,300 --> 00:07:46,100 so did the research program, 187 00:07:46,100 --> 00:07:50,500 and with all of that activity and knowledge in melanoma and cancer, 188 00:07:50,500 --> 00:07:53,940 we could not but help apply it 189 00:07:53,940 --> 00:07:55,940 to Richard's glioblastoma. 190 00:07:59,780 --> 00:08:03,260 In May, I went to Poland, to Krakow, 191 00:08:03,260 --> 00:08:06,260 to lecture in a conference. 192 00:08:06,260 --> 00:08:07,700 My wife, Katie, came with me. 193 00:08:09,460 --> 00:08:13,740 We climbed up into the mountains in southern Poland, 194 00:08:13,740 --> 00:08:15,980 and that was incredible scenery. 195 00:08:17,500 --> 00:08:19,460 The next day, 196 00:08:19,460 --> 00:08:21,980 I woke up in the morning not feeling right, 197 00:08:21,980 --> 00:08:25,780 like I was about to pass out, or even die. 198 00:08:25,780 --> 00:08:26,020 like I was about to pass out, I, um... 199 00:08:26,020 --> 00:08:27,660 I, um... 200 00:08:27,660 --> 00:08:29,380 And I just... 201 00:08:29,380 --> 00:08:30,860 Like, that's all I remember. 202 00:08:33,420 --> 00:08:37,860 I had a seizure and, um, fell onto the floor. 203 00:08:37,860 --> 00:08:38,100 I had a seizure and, um, I had a red mark on my head, 204 00:08:38,100 --> 00:08:39,260 I had a red mark on my head, 205 00:08:39,260 --> 00:08:42,260 where I must have grazed it on the carpet when I hit the floor. 206 00:08:44,620 --> 00:08:48,580 They transferred him to the University Hospital in Krakow, 207 00:08:48,580 --> 00:08:51,620 where he had an MRI scan of the brain. 208 00:08:54,460 --> 00:09:00,260 Katie, his wife, rang me and said, "There's a lesion," 209 00:09:00,260 --> 00:09:02,500 to which I gasped, and... 210 00:09:02,500 --> 00:09:04,380 You know, when you... when you have a seizure 211 00:09:04,380 --> 00:09:06,900 and there's an MRI with a lesion in a... 212 00:09:06,900 --> 00:09:09,860 ..in a 56-year-old man, which is Richard, 213 00:09:09,860 --> 00:09:10,100 ..in a 56-year-old man, it's usually not great news. 214 00:09:10,100 --> 00:09:12,020 it's usually not great news. 215 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:19,020 I sent the scans straight to Brinda Shivalingam 216 00:09:19,020 --> 00:09:19,260 I sent the scans straight and said, "What do you think?" 217 00:09:19,260 --> 00:09:21,100 and said, "What do you think?" 218 00:09:22,460 --> 00:09:24,220 WOMAN: I just had one quick look at it 219 00:09:24,220 --> 00:09:24,460 WOMAN: I just had one quick look and knew what we were dealing with. 220 00:09:24,460 --> 00:09:25,980 and knew what we were dealing with. 221 00:09:27,020 --> 00:09:30,100 The biopsy definitively told us 222 00:09:30,100 --> 00:09:33,580 that this was an IDH wild type glioblastoma... 223 00:09:34,660 --> 00:09:39,900 ..the most aggressive type of primary brain cancer. 224 00:09:43,300 --> 00:09:45,860 I knew what that meant. That's certain death. 225 00:09:46,940 --> 00:09:49,380 I just...I just...how? 226 00:09:50,660 --> 00:09:55,460 Just...to come to terms with Richard... 227 00:09:55,460 --> 00:09:58,460 I knew immediately he had a... a bad tumour. 228 00:10:01,940 --> 00:10:05,060 To be facing a death sentence. Um... 229 00:10:05,060 --> 00:10:08,020 Yeah, I'm not ready for this. Um... 230 00:10:08,020 --> 00:10:09,660 Yeah, I love my life. 231 00:10:09,660 --> 00:10:11,220 I love my family. 232 00:10:11,220 --> 00:10:13,620 I've got three teenage children. 233 00:10:13,620 --> 00:10:15,060 I love my work. 234 00:10:15,060 --> 00:10:17,220 I love my colleagues. 235 00:10:17,220 --> 00:10:19,620 I love contributing to society. 236 00:10:21,220 --> 00:10:22,860 I don't want to die yet. 237 00:10:25,140 --> 00:10:26,940 EMILY: Was definitely stressful. 238 00:10:26,940 --> 00:10:28,100 Definitely a shock. 239 00:10:29,100 --> 00:10:31,340 Immediately discussion started about, 240 00:10:31,340 --> 00:10:33,140 "OK, what are we going to do about this? 241 00:10:33,140 --> 00:10:35,900 "How are we going to move forward with treatment?" 242 00:10:38,060 --> 00:10:42,900 The survival time for glioblastoma, just with standard treatment, 243 00:10:42,900 --> 00:10:46,060 is in the order of about 12 to 14 months. 244 00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:50,580 Standard therapy hasn't changed in 18 years. 245 00:10:50,580 --> 00:10:55,460 Radiation and chemotherapy is just to prolong life a little bit better. 246 00:10:55,460 --> 00:10:55,700 Radiation and chemotherapy is just to It doesn't cure anyone. 247 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:57,540 It doesn't cure anyone. 248 00:11:01,260 --> 00:11:04,620 I started to hatch a plan 249 00:11:04,620 --> 00:11:08,460 and think about how we could treat Richard's tumour 250 00:11:08,460 --> 00:11:15,660 by using everything I had learnt and developed in melanoma to bear 251 00:11:15,660 --> 00:11:19,940 on how we might approach Richard's glioblastoma. 252 00:11:20,860 --> 00:11:25,940 So the plan was to give immunotherapy before 253 00:11:25,940 --> 00:11:28,860 the tumour is removed from Richard's brain. 254 00:11:30,780 --> 00:11:34,580 JOHN: This is completely contrary to standard treatment. 255 00:11:35,700 --> 00:11:37,260 Normally everyone says, "Quick, quick! 256 00:11:37,260 --> 00:11:39,820 "We must remove the tumour as soon as we can." 257 00:11:39,820 --> 00:11:40,100 "We must remove the tumour as soon as we can." But we believe that by giving the immunotherapy 258 00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:42,700 But we believe that by giving the immunotherapy 259 00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:44,660 while the tumour is still there, 260 00:11:44,660 --> 00:11:48,060 it has a better chance of developing that immune response. 261 00:11:48,060 --> 00:11:48,300 it has a better chance of developing IDH wild type... 262 00:11:48,300 --> 00:11:50,020 IDH wild type... 263 00:11:50,020 --> 00:11:53,620 Um...promoter TERT mutated... 264 00:11:53,620 --> 00:11:57,140 Even though it's risky - and it IS risky - 265 00:11:57,140 --> 00:11:58,540 I just give them a whiff of the idea 266 00:11:58,540 --> 00:12:00,300 and he went, "Yep, I want this. Yes." 267 00:12:02,340 --> 00:12:03,500 Hey, Emma. 268 00:12:03,500 --> 00:12:05,940 HELEN: It's truly first in the world. 269 00:12:05,940 --> 00:12:08,180 It is experimental therapy. 270 00:12:08,180 --> 00:12:13,020 We have no data on what will happen in terms of prolonging his survival. 271 00:12:13,020 --> 00:12:13,260 We have no data on what will happen in terms of prolonging his survival. WOMAN: What are we going to do? 272 00:12:13,260 --> 00:12:14,460 WOMAN: What are we going to do? 273 00:12:14,460 --> 00:12:17,300 Had some blood out of this arm this morning, so... 274 00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:17,540 Had some blood out of this arm People were pretty nervous about it, 275 00:12:17,540 --> 00:12:19,260 People were pretty nervous about it, 276 00:12:19,260 --> 00:12:19,500 and to be honest, there was quite People were pretty nervous about it, 277 00:12:19,500 --> 00:12:23,460 and to be honest, there was quite a bit of resistance initially 278 00:12:23,460 --> 00:12:23,700 and to be honest, there was quite to get people on board. 279 00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:24,900 to get people on board. 280 00:12:24,900 --> 00:12:27,060 How long do you give it to go in? 281 00:12:27,060 --> 00:12:28,380 Half an hour. 282 00:12:28,380 --> 00:12:31,740 There's risks in having this form of therapy. 283 00:12:31,740 --> 00:12:33,980 You might get swelling of the tumour, 284 00:12:33,980 --> 00:12:37,100 and there's risk when you give subsequent doses 285 00:12:37,100 --> 00:12:40,180 that you can actually go into a liver failure. 286 00:12:40,180 --> 00:12:40,420 that you can actually go (MACHINE BEEPS) 287 00:12:40,420 --> 00:12:42,220 (MACHINE BEEPS) 288 00:12:42,220 --> 00:12:45,060 Yeah. Just going in. 289 00:12:45,060 --> 00:12:48,900 But there's also an upside risk that...that I might live longer. 290 00:12:48,900 --> 00:12:49,140 But there's also an upside risk Thank you very much. 291 00:12:49,140 --> 00:12:50,220 Thank you very much. 292 00:12:50,220 --> 00:12:53,380 And there's a small chance that I... that I could be even cured. 293 00:12:54,180 --> 00:12:55,940 Hello. Hi. 294 00:12:55,940 --> 00:12:58,380 How are you? Nice to see you. Yeah... 295 00:12:58,380 --> 00:13:00,620 It just feels right to do this. 296 00:13:00,620 --> 00:13:03,260 For me to be the guinea pig, 297 00:13:03,260 --> 00:13:06,500 for Georgina to lead this as an opportunity, 298 00:13:06,500 --> 00:13:10,740 for us to together to make a difference in brain cancer, 299 00:13:10,740 --> 00:13:10,980 for us to together to make like what we've done in melanoma. 300 00:13:10,980 --> 00:13:13,220 like what we've done in melanoma. 301 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:15,060 So your liver tests were good this morning. 302 00:13:15,060 --> 00:13:16,860 Oh, great. Yeah. 303 00:13:16,860 --> 00:13:20,340 Um, how are you feeling? Yeah, OK, I guess. 304 00:13:20,340 --> 00:13:23,180 If it wasn't Richard, I...wouldn't happen, 305 00:13:23,180 --> 00:13:28,820 because he understands the risks of doing things differently. 306 00:13:28,820 --> 00:13:31,060 And he understands the potential benefit. 307 00:13:34,980 --> 00:13:37,340 EMILY: Two weeks after immunotherapy, 308 00:13:37,340 --> 00:13:37,580 EMILY: Two weeks after he had a big operation to remove 309 00:13:37,580 --> 00:13:39,820 he had a big operation to remove 310 00:13:39,820 --> 00:13:41,820 most of the tumour that was in his brain. 311 00:13:44,180 --> 00:13:47,380 BRINDHA: It's a difficult tumour to operate on. 312 00:13:47,380 --> 00:13:52,220 It is a very infiltrative and invasive through the brain, 313 00:13:52,220 --> 00:13:52,500 and it sends out little microscopic tentacles of cells. It is a very infiltrative and invasive through the brain, 314 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:56,260 and it sends out little microscopic tentacles of cells. 315 00:13:56,260 --> 00:13:56,540 and it sends out little microscopic tentacles of cells. That's what makes it very difficult, or near impossible, 316 00:13:56,540 --> 00:14:00,220 That's what makes it very difficult, or near impossible, 317 00:14:00,220 --> 00:14:05,660 to surgically remove every last bit of it and get every cell. 318 00:14:05,660 --> 00:14:07,180 That's going to be my boundary. OK? 319 00:14:07,180 --> 00:14:10,100 I don't think we need to go further back. 320 00:14:10,100 --> 00:14:12,380 I don't want to go back into the hippocampus. 321 00:14:12,380 --> 00:14:14,500 What you just said to me makes me feel more comfortable. 322 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:14,740 What you just said to me Yeah. 323 00:14:14,740 --> 00:14:15,540 Yeah. 324 00:14:18,660 --> 00:14:21,980 I'm a little nervous about the operation. Craniotomy. 325 00:14:21,980 --> 00:14:25,820 Having to remove as much of my tumour as possible 326 00:14:25,820 --> 00:14:28,940 without leaving too much functional deficit. 327 00:14:30,420 --> 00:14:33,460 When you're losing part of your brain, that... 328 00:14:33,460 --> 00:14:36,580 Yeah, I was scared shitless, to be honest, 329 00:14:36,580 --> 00:14:39,620 that I'd be left with, um, functional problems. 330 00:14:41,220 --> 00:14:45,060 You want to preserve Richard as Richard, 331 00:14:45,060 --> 00:14:47,380 but get out as much tumour as possible. 332 00:14:48,780 --> 00:14:50,180 It's stressful anyway, 333 00:14:50,180 --> 00:14:50,420 but to operate on a friend and a It's stressful anyway, 334 00:14:50,420 --> 00:14:54,220 but to operate on a friend and a colleague is incredibly stressful. 335 00:14:59,060 --> 00:15:00,860 Brindha's just texted. 336 00:15:00,860 --> 00:15:04,140 It is 2 o'clock. 337 00:15:04,140 --> 00:15:05,380 (READS) "All done. 338 00:15:05,380 --> 00:15:09,900 "Just doing a final diagnostic scan and then we'll wake him up." 339 00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:11,620 Yay! 340 00:15:11,620 --> 00:15:13,180 Fantastic. 341 00:15:13,180 --> 00:15:15,420 I better just send a thumbs-up. 342 00:15:15,420 --> 00:15:18,540 Makes me cry. And a love heart. And stars. 343 00:15:18,540 --> 00:15:18,780 Makes me cry. And a love heart. Yep. Good. 344 00:15:18,780 --> 00:15:20,660 Yep. Good. 345 00:15:23,340 --> 00:15:26,860 Ah, Emmy, my eldest daughter. Hi, Dad. (LAUGHS) 346 00:15:26,860 --> 00:15:27,940 You are so wonderful. 347 00:15:27,940 --> 00:15:30,180 Can you give me a kiss? 348 00:15:30,180 --> 00:15:32,580 Thanks for coming to see me. Um... 349 00:15:32,580 --> 00:15:34,820 To be honest, I feel better 350 00:15:34,820 --> 00:15:38,740 than what I did after the operation I had two and a bit weeks ago 351 00:15:38,740 --> 00:15:39,980 where I had biopsies. 352 00:15:39,980 --> 00:15:41,260 Yeah. 353 00:15:41,260 --> 00:15:43,900 Yeah, mentally, I feel like I'm still on the board. 354 00:15:43,900 --> 00:15:47,980 My wife's testing me out with a whole lot of, um, mental capacity. 355 00:15:47,980 --> 00:15:48,220 My wife's testing me out with What's my BP? 356 00:15:48,220 --> 00:15:49,620 What's my BP? 357 00:15:49,620 --> 00:15:49,860 Um, 22 over 65. What's my BP? 358 00:15:49,860 --> 00:15:52,100 Um, 22 over 65. Perfect. 359 00:15:52,100 --> 00:15:54,340 What's the heart rate? 59. 360 00:15:54,340 --> 00:15:55,500 Wow. 361 00:15:55,500 --> 00:15:58,740 Not as fit as I normally am, but not too bad. 362 00:15:58,740 --> 00:16:02,460 Dad was talking normally, joking with us, interacting. 363 00:16:02,460 --> 00:16:02,740 He was telling me how I had to improve my resume Dad was talking normally, joking with us, interacting. 364 00:16:02,740 --> 00:16:05,700 He was telling me how I had to improve my resume 365 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:08,500 about an hour after he got out of surgery. 366 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:08,780 about an hour after he got out of surgery. I'm really happy with how everything went. 367 00:16:08,780 --> 00:16:10,540 I'm really happy with how everything went. 368 00:16:10,540 --> 00:16:10,780 I'm really happy You know, it's always a bonus 369 00:16:10,780 --> 00:16:12,020 You know, it's always a bonus 370 00:16:12,020 --> 00:16:13,940 when you wake up and you're perfectly fine. 371 00:16:14,980 --> 00:16:16,380 Hi! Hi. 372 00:16:16,380 --> 00:16:16,620 Hi! All dressed up there, Georgina. 373 00:16:16,620 --> 00:16:18,260 All dressed up there, Georgina. 374 00:16:18,260 --> 00:16:20,660 Yeah. I was at work. 375 00:16:20,660 --> 00:16:22,140 Look at you. 376 00:16:22,140 --> 00:16:23,220 Same scar. 377 00:16:23,220 --> 00:16:25,140 Hair's still there. Ha. 378 00:16:25,140 --> 00:16:28,300 Fashionable purple. Can I take a photo? 379 00:16:28,300 --> 00:16:29,860 This is amazing. 380 00:16:29,860 --> 00:16:32,340 Oh, it's so good. Yeah. 381 00:16:32,340 --> 00:16:35,220 You haven't taken the Richard out of the Richard. 382 00:16:35,220 --> 00:16:40,060 The two people have supported me so much in sorting out... 383 00:16:40,060 --> 00:16:42,980 I got out of hospital two days after surgery... 384 00:16:44,300 --> 00:16:47,980 ..not nearly as knocked about as what I'd expected. 385 00:16:47,980 --> 00:16:48,220 ..not nearly as knocked about So, thanks, Brindha. 386 00:16:48,220 --> 00:16:50,100 So, thanks, Brindha. 387 00:16:52,580 --> 00:16:55,660 It's now, what, four weeks after I had that surgery? 388 00:16:55,660 --> 00:17:00,220 I've started on, um, radiotherapy, um, last week, 389 00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:02,260 and that seems to be... seems to be going well. 390 00:17:02,260 --> 00:17:07,140 And...and how... Would you say mild, moderate, or fulminant? 391 00:17:07,140 --> 00:17:09,380 HELEN: The big results that we were really excited with 392 00:17:09,380 --> 00:17:13,020 was a huge infiltration of immune cells into the tumour. 393 00:17:13,020 --> 00:17:13,260 was a huge infiltration That's really important. 394 00:17:13,260 --> 00:17:14,780 That's really important. 395 00:17:14,780 --> 00:17:15,860 No, that's good. 396 00:17:15,860 --> 00:17:16,100 That means that those immune cells were somehow activated in the body. No, that's good. 397 00:17:16,100 --> 00:17:19,780 That means that those immune cells were somehow activated in the body. 398 00:17:19,780 --> 00:17:20,060 That means that those immune cells were somehow activated in the body. Hopefully what they're doing is killing the cancer. 399 00:17:20,060 --> 00:17:22,380 Hopefully what they're doing is killing the cancer. 400 00:17:24,140 --> 00:17:27,220 GEORGINA: Richard is having ongoing immunotherapy. 401 00:17:27,220 --> 00:17:29,740 Richard, we're doing vaccine number two today. 402 00:17:29,740 --> 00:17:34,060 And the next stage of the plan is to give Richard a personalised vaccine. 403 00:17:34,060 --> 00:17:36,580 Fine, apart from a bloody sore arm afterwards. 404 00:17:36,580 --> 00:17:40,580 We look at what's specific to that individual person's cancer 405 00:17:40,580 --> 00:17:46,380 and try to get the immune system to recognise that specific cancer. 406 00:17:46,380 --> 00:17:46,620 and try to get the immune system All done. 407 00:17:46,620 --> 00:17:48,460 All done. 408 00:17:48,460 --> 00:17:49,820 Right. Nice and tight. 409 00:17:50,940 --> 00:17:52,220 Hey. 410 00:17:52,220 --> 00:17:55,340 The world's melanoma and immunotherapy expert! 411 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:58,580 GARRY: It's a radical treatment. We hope it works. 412 00:17:58,580 --> 00:17:58,820 But it's such an uncertain area GARRY: It's a radical treatment. We hope it works. 413 00:17:58,820 --> 00:18:00,740 But it's such an uncertain area 414 00:18:00,740 --> 00:18:00,980 that we don't really know But it's such an uncertain area 415 00:18:00,980 --> 00:18:02,380 that we don't really know at the moment, 416 00:18:02,380 --> 00:18:05,380 And I'm sure even he and Georgina, for all their brilliance, 417 00:18:05,380 --> 00:18:05,660 And I'm sure even he and Georgina, for all their brilliance, don't exactly know how well it's going to work. 418 00:18:05,660 --> 00:18:07,340 don't exactly know how well it's going to work. 419 00:18:07,340 --> 00:18:10,580 We're going to be checking your liver, your kidney function, 420 00:18:10,580 --> 00:18:10,820 We're going to be checking as well as your full blood count. 421 00:18:10,820 --> 00:18:12,020 as well as your full blood count. 422 00:18:12,020 --> 00:18:12,260 BRINDHA: There isn't a single part as well as your full blood count. 423 00:18:12,260 --> 00:18:14,260 BRINDHA: There isn't a single part of Richard 424 00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:16,780 that has not been analysed and probed 425 00:18:16,780 --> 00:18:19,340 during the course of this treatment. 426 00:18:19,340 --> 00:18:21,300 Maybe do a short course... 427 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:23,580 I think everyone is watching and waiting 428 00:18:23,580 --> 00:18:23,820 I think everyone is watching to see how well Richard does. 429 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:26,060 to see how well Richard does. 430 00:18:26,060 --> 00:18:28,700 Yesterday, Christian and I had 431 00:18:28,700 --> 00:18:31,180 a discussion about creating a visual time line. 432 00:18:31,180 --> 00:18:34,700 So we're trying to back everything up with science 433 00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:34,940 to show that what we're doing, So we're trying to back everything up with science 434 00:18:34,940 --> 00:18:37,220 to show that what we're doing, 435 00:18:37,220 --> 00:18:39,460 if it does happen to work, 436 00:18:39,460 --> 00:18:41,100 WHY it's working, 437 00:18:41,100 --> 00:18:41,340 WHY it's working, or if it doesn't work, why does it not work? 438 00:18:41,340 --> 00:18:45,660 or if it doesn't work, why does it not work? 439 00:18:45,660 --> 00:18:47,700 So that's the important piece in this. 440 00:18:47,700 --> 00:18:47,940 So that's the important piece It's the science. 441 00:18:47,940 --> 00:18:49,020 It's the science. 442 00:18:49,020 --> 00:18:53,540 Because only then can we use this data to help other patients, 443 00:18:53,540 --> 00:18:56,660 meaning next step's clinical trial. 444 00:18:56,660 --> 00:19:00,180 We have to get clinical trials up front. 445 00:19:00,180 --> 00:19:00,420 We have to get clinical trials His drug, his vaccine. 446 00:19:00,420 --> 00:19:02,300 His drug, his vaccine. 447 00:19:02,300 --> 00:19:05,380 HELEN: All the results we have so far are positive. 448 00:19:05,380 --> 00:19:09,820 I have to be honest, I am hoping that we could cure him. 449 00:19:09,820 --> 00:19:12,660 I know it's unlikely - I'm a realist - 450 00:19:12,660 --> 00:19:15,940 but I also know that these drugs are phenomenal. 451 00:19:17,820 --> 00:19:21,860 So here we are today, four months after my diagnosis, 452 00:19:21,860 --> 00:19:22,140 So here we are today, four months after my diagnosis, with incredible guidance from Georgina, 453 00:19:22,140 --> 00:19:25,420 with incredible guidance from Georgina, 454 00:19:25,420 --> 00:19:27,380 supported by the Melanoma Institute team 455 00:19:27,380 --> 00:19:29,700 and unwavering support from my family, 456 00:19:29,700 --> 00:19:32,580 for which I can never thank them enough. 457 00:19:32,580 --> 00:19:32,820 for which I can never thank them Since Richard's diagnosis, 458 00:19:32,820 --> 00:19:34,700 Since Richard's diagnosis, 459 00:19:34,700 --> 00:19:37,940 he and Georgina have been on a roller-coaster, really, 460 00:19:37,940 --> 00:19:40,900 trying to get the word out about what they're trying to do. 461 00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:41,140 trying to get the word out We have generated in ten weeks 462 00:19:41,140 --> 00:19:44,060 We have generated in ten weeks 463 00:19:44,060 --> 00:19:47,500 discoveries that would normally take many years. 464 00:19:47,500 --> 00:19:47,740 discoveries that would normally We hope for nothing more than 465 00:19:47,740 --> 00:19:49,780 We hope for nothing more than 466 00:19:49,780 --> 00:19:54,380 both of us being able to stand here again this time next year, 467 00:19:54,380 --> 00:19:57,500 as proof that the breakthroughs we've outlined today 468 00:19:57,500 --> 00:20:00,220 and our calls for change have saved lives. 469 00:20:00,220 --> 00:20:00,460 and our calls for change (APPLAUSE) 470 00:20:00,460 --> 00:20:03,180 (APPLAUSE) 471 00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:07,500 JOHN: He's being very brave 472 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:07,740 and putting on a strong outward show of strength, and... JOHN: He's being very brave 473 00:20:07,740 --> 00:20:12,780 and putting on a strong outward show of strength, and... 474 00:20:12,780 --> 00:20:13,060 and putting on a strong outward show of strength, and... ..all his friends and colleagues are doing their very best 475 00:20:13,060 --> 00:20:14,860 ..all his friends and colleagues are doing their very best 476 00:20:14,860 --> 00:20:15,100 ..all his friends and colleagues to support him in that. 477 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:16,180 to support him in that. 478 00:20:17,420 --> 00:20:20,300 But I know that he struggles a lot. 479 00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:22,180 You could chop them up into dice 480 00:20:22,180 --> 00:20:22,420 and put them in the tabbouleh, You could chop them up into dice 481 00:20:22,420 --> 00:20:23,620 and put them in the tabbouleh, I think. 482 00:20:23,620 --> 00:20:25,660 Alright. I can do that. 483 00:20:25,660 --> 00:20:25,900 Alright. I feel a little bad that, um... 484 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:27,420 I feel a little bad that, um... 485 00:20:27,420 --> 00:20:31,980 ..that at times, um, you know, irritable or...yeah. 486 00:20:31,980 --> 00:20:32,220 ..that at times, um, Or my tempers sometimes raise. 487 00:20:32,220 --> 00:20:34,460 Or my tempers sometimes raise. 488 00:20:35,660 --> 00:20:39,580 I think my personality before all of this happened, 489 00:20:39,580 --> 00:20:39,820 I had more...reserved all of this happened, 490 00:20:39,820 --> 00:20:41,660 I had more...reserved 491 00:20:41,660 --> 00:20:43,740 and I wouldn't...wouldn't fire up about things 492 00:20:43,740 --> 00:20:43,980 so much as what I do now. fire up about things 493 00:20:43,980 --> 00:20:45,780 so much as what I do now. 494 00:20:45,780 --> 00:20:45,980 so much as what I do now. Part of it must be... 495 00:20:45,980 --> 00:20:46,900 Part of it must be... 496 00:20:46,900 --> 00:20:49,420 Because you can see this defined period 497 00:20:49,420 --> 00:20:52,580 of how much you're likely to be alive for, and I feel like... 498 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:55,740 ..I want to get things finished off. 499 00:20:55,740 --> 00:20:55,980 I want to get the...the...the tasks ..I want to get things finished off. 500 00:20:55,980 --> 00:20:59,740 I want to get the...the...the tasks completed, and... 501 00:20:59,740 --> 00:20:59,980 I want to get the...the...the tasks It's all aspects of life. 502 00:20:59,980 --> 00:21:01,380 It's all aspects of life. 503 00:21:01,380 --> 00:21:02,980 (SIZZLING) What time did you get home? 504 00:21:02,980 --> 00:21:04,140 9:30. Mm. 505 00:21:04,140 --> 00:21:04,380 9:30. (LAUGHS) OK. 506 00:21:04,380 --> 00:21:05,300 (LAUGHS) OK. 507 00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:07,020 Not a very late party. What was it... 508 00:21:07,020 --> 00:21:07,260 My kids are starting to get a sense Not a very late party. What was it... 509 00:21:07,260 --> 00:21:11,340 My kids are starting to get a sense of how serious it is, so... 510 00:21:11,340 --> 00:21:14,540 I get that's hard on the kids, and they... 511 00:21:14,540 --> 00:21:14,780 I get that's hard on the kids, At times we have emotional moments. 512 00:21:14,780 --> 00:21:17,260 At times we have emotional moments. 513 00:21:17,260 --> 00:21:18,980 Wow. That's amazing. I didn't know that. 514 00:21:18,980 --> 00:21:22,020 And so all the water was pouring out of them. 515 00:21:22,020 --> 00:21:25,860 Mum has been a rock for everybody, including Dad. 516 00:21:25,860 --> 00:21:26,100 Mum has been a rock for everybody, Why don't you put him over there? 517 00:21:26,100 --> 00:21:27,420 Why don't you put him over there? 518 00:21:27,420 --> 00:21:31,020 Even though she herself is dealing with so much. 519 00:21:31,020 --> 00:21:34,420 So, mate, you know you only turn it once, right? 520 00:21:34,420 --> 00:21:37,780 But Mum is also a pathologist, like Dad, 521 00:21:37,780 --> 00:21:41,700 and she's happy for Dad to keep pursuing it 522 00:21:41,700 --> 00:21:41,940 and she's happy for Dad because he knows that 523 00:21:41,940 --> 00:21:43,340 because he knows that 524 00:21:43,340 --> 00:21:47,100 it has the potential to make a difference to so many people. 525 00:21:50,060 --> 00:21:52,060 (GENERAL HUBBUB) 526 00:21:52,060 --> 00:21:52,260 (GENERAL HUBBUB) Lovely to see you. 527 00:21:52,260 --> 00:21:53,820 Lovely to see you. 528 00:21:53,820 --> 00:21:57,420 It's a possibility for me that this could be my last chance 529 00:21:57,420 --> 00:22:00,660 to see family and friends in Tasmania, 530 00:22:00,660 --> 00:22:03,940 and that's part of the reason why I'm so excited to be here. 531 00:22:03,940 --> 00:22:09,820 First time I've seen you in person since my brain cancer diagnosis. 532 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:12,740 It was a bit of a shock. 533 00:22:12,740 --> 00:22:15,460 A bit! More than a bit. 534 00:22:15,460 --> 00:22:21,300 BRINDHA: The length of survival is a complete unknown at this stage. 535 00:22:21,300 --> 00:22:23,860 See his scalp? Oh! (CHUCKLES) 536 00:22:23,860 --> 00:22:26,020 It's not too... No, it's not... 537 00:22:26,020 --> 00:22:27,860 Healing up pretty well. 538 00:22:27,860 --> 00:22:31,700 We know that, you know, if he sort of gets to 539 00:22:31,700 --> 00:22:35,380 6, 9 months, 12 months without recurrence... 540 00:22:36,420 --> 00:22:42,420 ..it's looking promising that at the very least it's extending survival. 541 00:22:43,820 --> 00:22:45,300 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 542 00:22:45,300 --> 00:22:46,940 Back there for us. 543 00:22:47,940 --> 00:22:50,820 The most anxious thing is, 544 00:22:50,820 --> 00:22:52,300 is your tumour going to come back? 545 00:22:52,300 --> 00:22:57,820 And that the main way that that's detected is through an MRI scan. 546 00:22:57,820 --> 00:22:58,060 And that the main way that that's Coming back on again. 547 00:22:58,060 --> 00:22:59,260 Coming back on again. 548 00:23:00,980 --> 00:23:04,420 It's a rather stressful waiting period 549 00:23:04,420 --> 00:23:07,340 for Richard and all those who care deeply about him. 550 00:23:09,500 --> 00:23:11,340 The longer you go on without recurrence, 551 00:23:11,340 --> 00:23:11,580 The longer you go on the more likely it's going to happen, 552 00:23:11,580 --> 00:23:13,300 the more likely it's going to happen, 553 00:23:13,300 --> 00:23:16,220 because it almost inevitably... inevitably does. 554 00:23:16,220 --> 00:23:18,660 So, yeah, I'm certainly more scared about it now 555 00:23:18,660 --> 00:23:18,900 So, yeah, I'm certainly more than what I was a few months ago. 556 00:23:18,900 --> 00:23:20,300 than what I was a few months ago. 557 00:23:22,620 --> 00:23:25,620 HELEN: We are so engaged in the research aspects 558 00:23:25,620 --> 00:23:25,860 HELEN: We are so engaged of what we're doing. 559 00:23:25,860 --> 00:23:26,940 of what we're doing. 560 00:23:26,940 --> 00:23:27,180 I wonder whether we've processed of what we're doing. 561 00:23:27,180 --> 00:23:30,860 I wonder whether we've processed the implications 562 00:23:30,860 --> 00:23:31,100 I wonder whether we've processed if the therapy doesn't work. 563 00:23:31,100 --> 00:23:32,580 if the therapy doesn't work. 564 00:23:34,740 --> 00:23:36,220 Hey, George. 565 00:23:36,220 --> 00:23:38,020 Hey. 566 00:23:38,020 --> 00:23:38,980 I just got news. 567 00:23:40,220 --> 00:23:43,220 What? Your scans are fantastic! 568 00:23:43,220 --> 00:23:44,460 Yes! Yeah! 569 00:23:44,460 --> 00:23:47,180 That's great news. I know! So, um... 570 00:23:47,180 --> 00:23:47,420 That's great news. No recurrence, which is good. 571 00:23:47,420 --> 00:23:48,860 No recurrence, which is good. 572 00:23:48,860 --> 00:23:49,100 Ah, fantastic. No recurrence, which is good. 573 00:23:49,100 --> 00:23:51,140 Ah, fantastic. No recurrence. 574 00:23:51,140 --> 00:23:51,380 Ah, fantastic. It's early days, still. 575 00:23:51,380 --> 00:23:53,420 It's early days, still. 576 00:23:53,420 --> 00:23:55,940 Um... Six months! Not that early. 577 00:23:55,940 --> 00:23:56,180 Um... Yeah, yeah. No, no. It's good. 578 00:23:56,180 --> 00:23:57,540 Yeah, yeah. No, no. It's good. 579 00:23:57,540 --> 00:24:00,380 So what we want, though, is this... 580 00:24:01,260 --> 00:24:02,660 ..in another few months. 581 00:24:05,500 --> 00:24:11,820 The 2024 Australian of the Year, I'm proud to announce, 582 00:24:11,820 --> 00:24:12,060 The 2024 Australian of the Year, is Professor Georgina Long... 583 00:24:12,060 --> 00:24:14,340 is Professor Georgina Long... 584 00:24:14,340 --> 00:24:14,580 (APPLAUSE) is Professor Georgina Long... 585 00:24:14,580 --> 00:24:16,940 (APPLAUSE) ..and Professor Richard Scolyer. 586 00:24:16,940 --> 00:24:17,180 (APPLAUSE) (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 587 00:24:17,180 --> 00:24:21,900 (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 588 00:24:22,980 --> 00:24:24,220 From where I stand, 589 00:24:24,220 --> 00:24:27,940 with the future now measured in months rather than decades, 590 00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:30,580 it's impossible for me to properly articulate 591 00:24:30,580 --> 00:24:34,620 how proud and hopeful that this also makes me. 592 00:24:34,620 --> 00:24:38,060 We never imagined our life's work would lead us here. 593 00:24:38,060 --> 00:24:42,980 Thank you, Australia, for bestowing us with this wonderful honour. 594 00:24:42,980 --> 00:24:43,220 Thank you, Australia, for bestowing (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 595 00:24:43,220 --> 00:24:44,700 (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 596 00:24:47,580 --> 00:24:50,380 It's not every day you get to speak to our Australians of the Year. 597 00:24:50,380 --> 00:24:50,620 It's not every day you get to speak to our Australians of the Year. Prevention is better than cure. 598 00:24:50,620 --> 00:24:52,060 Prevention is better than cure. 599 00:24:52,060 --> 00:24:53,420 Slip, slop, slap. 600 00:24:53,420 --> 00:24:57,140 (HORN HONKS) 601 00:24:57,140 --> 00:24:57,380 HELEN: Physically, he seems to be (HORN HONKS) 602 00:24:57,380 --> 00:25:01,340 HELEN: Physically, he seems to be doing really well. 603 00:25:01,340 --> 00:25:04,180 But there's no doubt that there are toxicities to worry about. 604 00:25:06,980 --> 00:25:10,140 BRINDHA: These drugs can turn on the immune system 605 00:25:10,140 --> 00:25:10,380 BRINDHA: These drugs can turn on that then attacks your own body, 606 00:25:10,380 --> 00:25:12,220 that then attacks your own body, 607 00:25:12,220 --> 00:25:12,460 and the toxicity itself can be that then attacks your own body, 608 00:25:12,460 --> 00:25:16,740 and the toxicity itself can be life threatening. 609 00:25:17,980 --> 00:25:21,260 I do worry that he pushes himself a little bit too much, 610 00:25:21,260 --> 00:25:21,500 and we've had many chats about this, a little bit too much, 611 00:25:21,500 --> 00:25:23,740 and we've had many chats about this, 612 00:25:23,740 --> 00:25:25,220 about slowing down, 613 00:25:25,220 --> 00:25:25,460 about slowing down, about taking a bit of time to absorb this... 614 00:25:25,460 --> 00:25:28,540 about taking a bit of time to absorb this... 615 00:25:30,180 --> 00:25:33,260 ..and also resting your body somewhat 616 00:25:33,260 --> 00:25:35,780 just because Richard is so active. 617 00:25:35,780 --> 00:25:38,260 It's a little bit of rest might actually help him. 618 00:25:42,860 --> 00:25:45,460 To be honest, the last three weeks probably been 619 00:25:45,460 --> 00:25:50,180 the toughest period that I've had so far in my brain cancer journey. 620 00:25:50,180 --> 00:25:56,020 I've had, um, partial seizures quite commonly, actually, 621 00:25:56,020 --> 00:25:56,260 I've had, um, partial seizures sometimes 10 times or more a day. 622 00:25:56,260 --> 00:25:59,580 sometimes 10 times or more a day. 623 00:25:59,580 --> 00:26:04,180 Um, I've had three episodes where I've totally passed out to it. 624 00:26:06,860 --> 00:26:11,580 Now I'm on anti-seizure medication to bring things under control, 625 00:26:11,580 --> 00:26:11,820 Now I'm on anti-seizure medication and I'm very thankful. 626 00:26:11,820 --> 00:26:13,060 and I'm very thankful. 627 00:26:13,060 --> 00:26:15,660 I've had no seizures since then. 628 00:26:15,660 --> 00:26:20,940 I rode, I don't know, 450 K's in the Tour de Cure last weekend, 629 00:26:20,940 --> 00:26:24,260 and I can run and do the things I love doing 630 00:26:24,260 --> 00:26:27,540 and spending time with my wonderful family 631 00:26:27,540 --> 00:26:31,540 and enjoying life as...as best I can, given the circumstances. 632 00:26:37,020 --> 00:26:40,180 MAN: Professor Richard Scolyer has shared remarkable news 633 00:26:40,180 --> 00:26:42,020 in his fight against brain cancer, 634 00:26:42,020 --> 00:26:45,700 revealing no recurrence of the disease in ten months. 635 00:26:45,700 --> 00:26:49,220 To be able to get this far through - now we're up to ten months - 636 00:26:49,220 --> 00:26:49,460 To be able to get this far through - with out any recurrence of my tumour, 637 00:26:49,460 --> 00:26:51,900 with out any recurrence of my tumour, 638 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:53,220 I'm blown away. 639 00:26:53,220 --> 00:26:54,300 This is not what I expected. 640 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:56,700 So this is great news. 641 00:26:56,700 --> 00:26:59,020 In this area medially, which we were worried about, 642 00:26:59,020 --> 00:27:01,140 looks a little better, which is nice. 643 00:27:01,140 --> 00:27:04,340 To have the scan on the 18th of March 644 00:27:04,340 --> 00:27:07,500 show that there's no recurrence is remarkable. 645 00:27:07,500 --> 00:27:07,740 show that there's no recurrence It's... It's fantastic. 646 00:27:07,740 --> 00:27:09,500 It's... It's fantastic. 647 00:27:09,500 --> 00:27:13,700 It's great for Richard, um, and gives us all a lot of hope. 648 00:27:13,700 --> 00:27:16,220 It's pretty good, isn't it? Fantastic. 649 00:27:16,220 --> 00:27:19,580 So fingers crossed it stays like this for a little while longer. 650 00:27:19,580 --> 00:27:24,300 But in cancer, it's very rare to use the word 'cure'. 651 00:27:24,300 --> 00:27:29,060 You have to test your hypothesis in a larger number of people. 652 00:27:29,060 --> 00:27:32,500 And with Richard's case particularly, 653 00:27:32,500 --> 00:27:35,300 we have to wait much more time to say 654 00:27:35,300 --> 00:27:38,420 whether this treatment worked in and of itself. 655 00:27:43,460 --> 00:27:47,500 From my side of the spectrum, if the next scan is clear, 656 00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:51,420 I'll be celebrating on all... on all stops. 657 00:27:51,420 --> 00:27:53,100 You know, that will be incredible. 658 00:27:53,100 --> 00:27:55,580 To get to 12 months without a recurrence, 659 00:27:55,580 --> 00:27:58,740 um, yeah, that'll be a major milestone for me personally. 660 00:28:01,460 --> 00:28:04,340 I think like any cancer patient with a terminal condition, 661 00:28:04,340 --> 00:28:04,580 I think like any cancer patient there are ups and downs. 662 00:28:04,580 --> 00:28:05,620 there are ups and downs. 663 00:28:07,180 --> 00:28:12,780 This switch in roles has been a huge change for us. 664 00:28:12,780 --> 00:28:15,140 Me now as medical oncologist 665 00:28:15,140 --> 00:28:18,980 and as the person running and leading his immunotherapy, 666 00:28:18,980 --> 00:28:23,540 and for him now as the patient, this is very difficult. 667 00:28:25,060 --> 00:28:28,700 But every month that we get with a clear scan, 668 00:28:28,700 --> 00:28:32,220 we're...we're incredibly pleased and happy for Richard. 669 00:28:36,660 --> 00:28:39,940 Cheers. Great job, team. 670 00:28:39,940 --> 00:28:43,260 JOHN: The field owes him a great debt of gratitude. 671 00:28:43,260 --> 00:28:43,500 JOHN: The field owes him What Richard's doing has 672 00:28:43,500 --> 00:28:45,460 What Richard's doing has 673 00:28:45,460 --> 00:28:45,700 advanced the treatment of What Richard's doing has 674 00:28:45,700 --> 00:28:49,500 advanced the treatment of glioblastoma generally 675 00:28:49,500 --> 00:28:49,740 advanced the treatment of in just a few months 676 00:28:49,740 --> 00:28:50,780 in just a few months 677 00:28:50,780 --> 00:28:53,980 by what would otherwise have taken 10 years, maybe more. 678 00:28:53,980 --> 00:28:54,780 Yeah. 679 00:28:56,500 --> 00:29:02,420 I'm accepting of this unfortunate nasty tumour that I've got 680 00:29:02,420 --> 00:29:07,380 that is almost certainly going to come back at some stage. 681 00:29:07,380 --> 00:29:07,620 that is almost certainly We haven't been together like this... 682 00:29:07,620 --> 00:29:09,020 We haven't been together like this... 683 00:29:09,020 --> 00:29:10,580 But I am very proud that it's... 684 00:29:11,860 --> 00:29:15,740 ..going to make a difference for future brain cancer patients. 685 00:29:15,740 --> 00:29:16,820 Yeah. 686 00:29:16,820 --> 00:29:20,140 And, yeah, what a legacy to...to be able to leave, 687 00:29:20,140 --> 00:29:20,380 And, yeah, what a legacy even if it doesn't...doesn't cure me. 688 00:29:20,380 --> 00:29:23,180 even if it doesn't...doesn't cure me. 689 00:29:23,180 --> 00:29:25,260 I might go to it too, then. 690 00:29:25,260 --> 00:29:27,540 There's only two tickets, buddy. You've been ousted. 691 00:29:27,540 --> 00:29:28,540 No, no, three. 692 00:29:28,540 --> 00:29:31,780 BRINDHA: Legacy is also about family, 693 00:29:31,780 --> 00:29:37,180 and I guess the example of the drive and the determination 694 00:29:37,180 --> 00:29:41,260 and the, uh...the need to change things for the better 695 00:29:41,260 --> 00:29:41,500 and the, uh...the need to for...for the...the wider world. 696 00:29:41,500 --> 00:29:44,660 for...for the...the wider world. 697 00:29:45,740 --> 00:29:47,260 That's a legacy. 698 00:30:13,220 --> 00:30:14,940 Captions by Red Bee Media 699 00:30:14,940 --> 00:30:17,140 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation