Professor Shelley Potter
BSc (Hons), M.B.Ch.B.(Hons), PhD, FHEA, FRCS
Expertise
Current positions
Professor of Surgical Oncology
Bristol Medical School (THS)
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
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.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
8072 ABS ANTHEM
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
12/02/2020 to 31/12/2021
IB 8072 Above & Beyond: ABL-2019-20-02: The ANTHEM study: Is A Novel THErapeutic mammaplasty procedure a safe and effective surgical alternative to Mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/01/2020 to 31/07/2023
IB 8072 Association of Breast Surgery: Informing best practice in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction: Further analysis of the iBRA study cohort
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/07/2019 to 30/09/2022
Full Application: The BRIghteR study Breast Reconstruction: InvestigatinG long-term clinical and cost-effectiveness in tHe National MasTectomy and BrEast Reconstruction Audit cohort
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/04/2019 to 23/06/2022
8072 The Pre-BRA (Pre-pectoral Breast Reconstruction Evaluation) Study. An IDEAL 2a/2b prospective cohort study to determine the safety and effectiveness of pre-pectoral implant based breast reconstruction
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
14/08/2018 to 31/12/2022
Publications
Recent publications
01/08/2024Current axillary management of patients with early breast cancer and low volume nodal disease undergoing primary surgery
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Identifying research priorities for improving information and support for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Mastitis and Mammary Abscess Management Audit (MAMMA) in the UK and Ireland
British Journal of Surgery
Outcomes of Women Undergoing Mastectomy for Unilateral Breast Cancer Who Elect to Undergo Contralateral Mastectomy for Symmetry
Annals of Surgical Oncology
Overall survival after mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer
BJS Open