Breast Cancer: The Facts

Professor Christobel Saunders is an English-born breast surgeon who now calls Western Australia home. An active clinical researcher, she is a lead investigator in several large studies in cancer. Her research interests include clinical trials, pregnancy related (gestational) breast cancer, familial breast cancer, minimally invasive treatments and quality of life and health outcomes research. Professor Saunders' research and clinical experience has led to the publication of over 125 scientific papers in refereed journals as well as books and book chapters.

She is an active health educator, both in her position as Professor of Surgical Oncology at The University of Western Australia, and for community groups and other health and medical professionals.

The inspiration behind this book has been the thousands of people with breast cancer she has helped look after in the UK and Australia, and their courage, strength, and personal stories.


Sunil Jassal is a consultant in Breast Surgery at Royal Perth Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. He was born and completed initial medical and surgical training in Victoria, gaining an FRACS in the area of General Surgery. Sunil subsequently moved to Perth to pursue further training and expertise in his sub-specialty interest of Breast Surgery.

Elgene Lim is a clinician scientist in the field of breast cancer, and an endowed chair with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. He completed his medical and oncology training in Melbourne, and doctoral research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. He furthered his research and clinical training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. He currently oversees the breast oncology services at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, and heads the Connie Johnson breast cancer research laboratory at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. His laboratory performs clinically focused laboratory research, and evaluates novel therapies preclinically. He also leads a number of clinical trials, a number stemming from his research. His research is funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council, Cancer Australia, Cancer Council of NSW, the National Breast Cancer, Love Your Sister, and Garvan foundations.