Research output per year
Research output per year
BSc (Hons), M.B.Ch.B.(Hons), PhD, FHEA, FRCS
BS10 5NB
My main research interest is improving outcomes for women undergoing oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery.
My PhD work used systematic reviews and qualitative work to determine the need for and feasibility of randomised clinical trials in breast reconstruction. A series of systematic reviews demonstrated a paucity of high-quality evidence of the effectiveness of BR and highlighted the need for well-designed pragmatic multicentre RCTs and prospective cohort studies with standardised outcomes to provide evidence to inform decision-making for reconstructive surgery. Qualitative work suggested that well-designed trials may be possible but a lack of understanding of trial methodology and the need for RCTs emerged as a major barrier to the acceptance of RCTs among the surgical community.
As a Clinical Lecturer, I led the BRAVO (Breast Reconstruction and Valid Outcomes) Study which developed a core outcome set for reconstructive breast surgery funded by an Academy of Medical Sciences Clinical Lecturer Starter Grant and I co-led the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit funded iBRA (Implant Breast Reconstruction evAluation) study, a prospective multicentre cohort study to inform the feasibility, design and conduct of a pragmatic RCT comparing different approaches to implant-based breast reconstruction. I also led a number of large trainee collaborative projects in oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery including iBRA-2 which explored the impact of immediate breast reconstruction on time to adjuvant therapy and TeaM (funded by the Association of Breast Surgery) which aimed to determine the practice and short term outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty.
I completed a highly prestigious Training Interface Group National Oncoplastic Fellowship in Liverpool where I learned a range of reconstructive and oncoplastic techniques and achieved my Certificate of Completion of Training in July 2017.
In my current role as Professor of Surgical Oncology, my projects include the Pre-BRA, ANTHEM, Best-BRA and Brighter studies all of which aim to build the evidence base for oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery to help women make more informed decisions about their surgical options.
My national roles include Royal College of Surgeons of England Surgical Specialty Lead for Breast Surgery, Secretary to the Association of Breast Surgery Academic and Research Committee and Secretary to the British Breast Group.
I divide my time between the University and the Bristol Breast Care Centre at North Bristol NHS Trust where I aim to provide high quality, evidence-based patient care.
Surgical Specialty Lead for Breast Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons
1 May 2022 → …
Association of Breast Surgery Academic and Research Committee
Jan 2017 → …
Trainee member of the Association of Breast Surgery Academic and Research Committee
Jun 2015 → Jan 2017
Chair of the Mammary Fold Academic and Research Collaborative
Jun 2015 → May 2017
Trainee member of NCRI Breast Clinical Studies Group
1 Nov 2014 → 30 Jun 2016
Research output: Contribution to journal › Protocol
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Potter, S. (Principal Investigator)
1/01/20 → 31/07/23
Project: Research
Potter, S. (Principal Investigator)
1/07/19 → 30/09/22
Project: Research