Prof Elisabeth Elder is a specialist breast surgeon at the Lakeside Specialist Breast Clinic at Lakeview Private Hospital and at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute. She has devoted her career to the management of breast disease; and is one of the surgeons at the forefront of developing oncoplastic surgical techniques, which aim to achieve not only the best oncological outcome possible after breast cancer treatment, but also the best cosmetic and functional outcome possible. She offers her patients the full range of breast surgical options including lumpectomy in combination with various types of breast reshaping, reduction or volume replacement as well as immediate reconstruction after nipple/skin sparing mastectomy. All cancer patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team, with an individual care plan developed for each patient.

Prof Elder graduated from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden in 1992, where she also completed her general surgical training together with a PhD in tumour biology in 2002. After migrating to Australia, she specialised in breast cancer surgery at Concord Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Women and Royal North Shore Hospital; and completed her FRACS. She returned to the Karolinska Hospital in 2009 to develop skills in oncoplastic breast surgery techniques.

Prof Elder is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and is involved in numerous research projects and clinical trials, as well as the teaching of medical students and trainees. She is a member of the executive board of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand; and is chair of the oncoplastic committee as well as council member of Breast Surgeons International.  She is a member of the editorial board of World Journal of Surgery; and lectures frequently at national and international meetings.  She participates regularly in breast cancer education for medical professionals, students and patient groups, as well as the broader community.