Professor Christobel Saunders AO

Professor Christobel Saunders is a Consultant Surgeon at Royal Perth, St John of God and Fiona Stanley Hospitals in Perth, Western Australia.   She is Professor of Surgical Oncology, Head of Unit General Surgery and and holds various research roles in the breast and melanoma cancer field.

Professor Saunders is closely involved in strategic planning and management of cancer services nationally and within the State as Board Member of Breast Cancer Network Australia and Cancer Council Western Australia.  She has been involved in the development of numerous best practice guidelines for patients and clinicians and her work is embedded in a firm evidence base implementing the latest research.

Professor Saunders has worked in the breast cancer field for over 25 years and in 2010 received the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) Patron’s Award for achievement in breast cancer research, as well as a Certificate of Outstanding Service from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Her research covers a wide diversity of areas including clinical trials of new treatments, psychosocial research and translational and health services research; and in 2012 and 2013 was a finalist for the ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology for her involvement in the microscope-in-a-needle device.

Professor Saunders has an exceptional funding track record, having attracted a career total of over $30 million in 85 grants awarded in Australia since 2002. She has published over 150 scientific papers in refereed journals, two books and 19 book chapters. She is a co-author of the book Breast Cancer - a guide for every woman and Breast Cancer: The Facts, which was shortlisted for the BMA Book of the Year in 2010.

Professor Saunders’ expert opinion, advice and involvement continues to be highly sought-after for various state and national projects, and she is frequently requested to participate in media interviews and present at many local, state, national and international conferences.