Professor Heidi Probst PhD, MA, BSc(HONS), DCR(T), FCR
Director of the Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute, Ï㽶ÊÓƵer and lecturer
Summary
I have 14 years prior clinical experience working as a Therapeutic Radiographer in the NHS and 20 years experience in academia; as a researcher and lecturer. I lead on the Cancer Management Ï㽶ÊÓƵ cluster; part of the Aging and Long-term conditions research theme in the Applied Health and Care Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre. I am also the Director of the Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute.
My main research area is radiotherapy for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. I am the Principal Investigator on two breast cancer studies (The SuPPORT 4 All Project, and The Respire project).
About
I qualified as a Therapeutic Radiographer from the Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel) and worked for the NHS for 14 years in Radiotherapy and Oncology where my specialist area was pre-treatment imaging.
I started my PhD while a clinical radiographer working at the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. I was awarded a fellowship from the Department of Health to complete my PhD, which was a randomized clinical trial investigating different radiotherapy protocols for patients treated for breast cancer.
I joined Ï㽶ÊÓƵ on completion of my PhD and have 20 years of experience of teaching Radiotherapy and Oncology at undergraduate and postgraduate level. My specialist research areas include radiotherapy for breast cancer, radiotherapy workforce development, e-learning, and randomised controlled trials. I am an experienced doctoral supervisor and examiner and was awarded a University Inspirational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Supervisor award in 2014.
I am founder and chair of the Breast Radiotherapy Interest Group (BRIG) and chief investigator for two radiotherapy breast cancer studies: 1. The SuPPORT 4 All study, where we co-designed (with patients and healthcare practitioners) a novel support bra for women to wear during breast irradiation, and 2. The RESPIRE project where a series of online patient resources have been developed (through a co-design methodology) to support patients undergoing breath hold techniques as part of their radiotherapy. I have participated in the development a number of national radiotherapy guidelines including the 2015 and 2020 College of Radiographers Radiotherapy skin care guidelines, The Royal College of Radiologist UK consensus statements for postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer, and the College of Radiographers Patient, Public, and Practitioner Partnership within Imaging and Radiotherapy: Guiding Principles.
My research interests are in workforce development and breast irradiation. My research into breast irradiation evolved directly from my clinical practice experience and my PhD research to develop understanding of the impact of technical delivery of radiotherapy on patient outcomes, service efficiency and variations in practice across radiotherapy centres. My PhD was a large randomised controlled trial (n=360) focusing on assessing the implications of radiotherapy protocols for breast cancer, the impact on the patient and the use of NHS resources. The overarching priority of this research was to identify protocols that would maximise use of scarce NHS resources while not diminishing the quality of the applied treatments while also investigating patient choice regarding the use of permanent tattoos for treatment alignment.
My subsequent research in this field has focused on a method to improve treatment reproducibility and to provide patient modesty (SuPPORT 4 All study). The SuPPORT 4 All study (a nationally funded project) again focuses on enhancing treatment accuracy while minimising radiation side effects, notably skin (dry and moist desquamation) and heart toxicity (ischemic heart disease) while enhancing patient dignity.
Teaching
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
The SuPPORT 4 All project (S4A project) - The aim of this project was to co-design, produce and test a support bra for immobilising breast tissue during radiotherapy for women diagnosed with breast cancer (who have undergone removal of the tumour leaving an intact breast). Breast cancer affects a substantial proportion of the population with over 2.2 million diagnosed globally in 2020. For many of the women diagnosed with breast cancer the primary treatment is local excision followed by external beam radiotherapy to the whole breast. New radiotherapy techniques provide the opportunity to spare sensitive structures that lie close to the breast; these techniques require greater accuracy in patient alignment. Inadequate patient alignment may lead to areas of under or overdosing of radiation with subsequent impacts on the risk of a loco-regional recurrence of the tumour or poorer cosmetic outcome of treatment. Added to this in the majority of radiotherapy centres worldwide women lie for breast irradiation, bare from the waist upwards, with up to four therapy radiographers (including men) adjusting and manipulating their thorax and breast in preparation for treatment. This can be distressing for women at a time when they may still be adjusting to an altered body image. Women with large or pendulous breasts can be difficult to position and are known to have worse skin reactions following radiotherapy. The use of a support bra to lift breast tissue away from the chest wall could help reduce positioning inaccuracies, reduce the radiation dose received by sensistive organs (such as the heart or lung) and reduce skin reactions at the lower end of the breast; leading to better outcomes.
The Respire Project - In the Respire project we have co-designed web-based information resources for patients diagnosed with breast cancer, that have been referred to have external beam radiotherapy using a breath hold technique. Breath hold techniques are used to reduce the dose of radiation received by the heart during breast cancer radiotherapy. The breath hold technique can be difficult to achieve and producing a consistent breath hold over the course of radiotherapy can be challenging. The web-based resources were developed and produced with patient representatives and healthcare practitioners.
Radiotherapy and Oncology
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
The SuPPORT 4 All project (S4A project) - The aim of this project was to co-design, produce and test a support bra for immobilising breast tissue during radiotherapy for women diagnosed with breast cancer (who have undergone removal of the tumour leaving an intact breast). Breast cancer affects a substantial proportion of the population with over 2.2 million diagnosed globally in 2020. For many of the women diagnosed with breast cancer the primary treatment is local excision followed by external beam radiotherapy to the whole breast. New radiotherapy techniques provide the opportunity to spare sensitive structures that lie close to the breast; these techniques require greater accuracy in patient alignment. Inadequate patient alignment may lead to areas of under or overdosing of radiation with subsequent impacts on the risk of a loco-regional recurrence of the tumour or poorer cosmetic outcome of treatment. Added to this in the majority of radiotherapy centres worldwide women lie for breast irradiation, bare from the waist upwards, with up to four therapy radiographers (including men) adjusting and manipulating their thorax and breast in preparation for treatment. This can be distressing for women at a time when they may still be adjusting to an altered body image. Women with large or pendulous breasts can be difficult to position and are known to have worse skin reactions following radiotherapy. The use of a support bra to lift breast tissue away from the chest wall could help reduce positioning inaccuracies, reduce the radiation dose received by sensistive organs (such as the heart or lung) and reduce skin reactions at the lower end of the breast; leading to better outcomes.
The Respire Project - In the Respire project we have co-designed web-based information resources for patients diagnosed with breast cancer, that have been referred to have external beam radiotherapy using a breath hold technique. Breath hold techniques are used to reduce the dose of radiation received by the heart during breast cancer radiotherapy. The breath hold technique can be difficult to achieve and producing a consistent breath hold over the course of radiotherapy can be challenging. The web-based resources were developed and produced with patient representatives and healthcare practitioners.
/research/in-action/projects/designing-a-bra-for-radiotherapy www.respire.org.uk
Publications
Key Publications
Robinson, L., Goodwill, G., Harris, R., Johnson, L., LePensee, S., Mada, M., ... Williamson, M. (2018). .
Robinson, L., Goodwill, G., Harris, R., Johnson, L., LePensee, S., Mada, M., ... Williamson, M. (2018). .
Ledsom, D., Reilly, A.J., & Probst, H. (2018). . Radiography, 24 (2), 98-103.
Probst, H., Reed, H., Rosbottom, K., Stanton, A., Crank, H., Bryan-Jones, K., & Collins, K. (2018). . Radiotherapy and Oncology, 127, S103-S104.
Tran, W.T., Childs, C., Probst, H., Farhat, G., & Czarnota, G.J. (2018). . Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 49 (4), 342-351.
Tran, W.T. (2018). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Childs, C., Probst, H., & Czarnota, G.
Harris, R., Beardmore, C., Probst, H., Burke, G., James, S., & Bolderston, A. (2015). Radiotherapy skin care guidance. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, 24, 32.
Probst, H., Choppin, S., Harrison, M., & Goyal, A. (2015). . Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 68 (12), 1770-1772.
Probst, H., Harris, R., McNair, H.A., Baker, A., Miles, E.A., & Beardmore, C. (2015). . Radiography, 21 (2), 112-118.
Hutton, D., Beardmore, C., Patel, I., Massey, J., Wong, H., & Probst, H. (2014). . The British Journal of Radiology, 87 (1039), 20130742.
Probst, H., Bragg, C., Dodwell, D., Green, D., & Hart, J. (2014). . Radiography, 20 (1), 70-81.
Choppin, S., Probst, H., Goyal, A., Clarkson, S., & Wheat, J. (2013). . In D'Apuzzo, N. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies, Long Beach CA, USA, 19-20 November 2013, (pp. 12-20). Ascona, Switzerland: Hometrica Consulting:
Probst, H. (2012). . British Journal of Radiology, 85 (1017), e760-e765.
Harris, R., Probst, H., Beardmore, C., James, S., Dumbleton, C., Bolderston, A., ... Southgate, E. (2012). . Radiography, 18 (1), 21-27.
Probst, H., & Brealey, S. (2010). . In Ramlaul, A. (Ed.) Medical imaging and radiotherapy research : skills and strategies. (pp. 123-156). London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier
Probst, H., Eddy, D., Doughty, J., & Hodgson, D. (2009). . E-Learning and digital media, 6 (4), 363-371.
Probst, H., & Griffiths, S. (2009). . Radiography, 15 (2), 146-157.
ACORRN Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Radiographer Working Party, , Russell, W., McNair, H.A., Heaton, A., Ball, K., Routsis, D., ... Miles, E. (2007). Gap analysis of role definition and training needs for therapeutic research radiographers in the UK. The British journal of radiology, 80 (957), 693-701.
Probst, H., & Griffiths, S. (2007). Retaining therapy radiographers: What’s so special about us? Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 6 (1), 21-32.
Probst, H., Dodwell, D., Gray, J.C., & Holmes, M. (2006). An evaluation of the accuracy of semi-permanent skin marks for breast cancer irradiation. Radiography, 12 (3), 186-188.
Probst, H., & Griffiths, S. (2006). Moving to a high-tech approach to the irradiation of early breast cancer: is it possible to balance efficacy, morbidity and resource use? Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)), 18 (3), 268-275.
Probst, H., Dodwell, D., Gray, J., & Holmes, M. (2005). Radiotherapy for breast carcinoma: an evaluation of the relationship between the central lung depth and respiratory symptoms. Radiography, 11 (1), 3-9.
Probst, H., Holmes, M., & Dodwell, D. (2003). Radiotherapy waiting times, resources and protocols for breast carcinoma: a survey of UK radiotherapy centres. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 3 (3), 113-121.
Probst, H., & Griffiths, S. (1996). Increasing the work speed of radiographers: the effect on the accuracy of a set-up of a complex shaped cranial field, part of a matched cranio spinal junction. Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, 38 (3), 241-245.
Journal articles
Green, H., Rieu, R., Slevin, F., Ashmore, L., Bulbeck, H., Gkogkou, P., ... Burnet, N.G. (2025). . Clinical Oncology, 39.
Probst, H., Dring, H., Julka-Anderson, N., Harris, R., Simpson, H., Southworth, A., & Ulman, J. (2024). . Radiography, 30 (Supp 3), S8-S9.
Rieu, R., Green, H., Slevin, F., Ingram, S., Probst, H., Bulbeck, H., ... Burnet, N. (2024). . Radiography, 30 (Supp 3), S3-S4.
Underwood, T., Appleyard, R., Ulman, J., Holborn, C., Smith, S., Hill, S., ... Probst, H. (2024). . International Journal of Particle Therapy, 12 (Supp).
Julka-Anderson, N., Thomas, C., Harris, R., & Probst, H. (2024). . Radiography, 30 (3), 978-985.
Rieu, R., Green, H., Slevin, F., Ingram, S., Probst, H., Bulbeck, H., ... Burnet, N. (2024). 1764: Best practice for patient-centred radiotherapy in clinical trials and beyond – a national consensus. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 194, S2925-S2929.
Rigby, K., Probst, H., Ulman, J., Appleyard, R., & Jacques, L. (2024). . Radiography, 30 (3), 920-925.
Mast, M.E., Leong, A., Korreman, S.S., Lee, G., Probst, H., Scherer, P., & Tsang, Y. (2023). . Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 28.
Collins, M., Probst, H., & Grafton, K. (2023). . Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.
Probst, H., Reed, H., Stanton, A., Simpson, R., Walters, S., Simpson, H., ... Din, O. (2023). . Clinical Oncology.
Boisbouvier, S., Underwood, T., McNamara, J., & Probst, H. (2023). . Frontiers in Oncology, 13.
Ulman, J., Serant, L., Dunham, M., & Probst, H. (2023). . Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.
D'Angelo, K., Eansor, P., D'Souza, L.A., Norris, M.E., Bauman, G.S., Kassam, Z., ... Palma, D.A. (2021). . Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 52 (4), 567-575.
Burke, G., Faithful, S., & Probst, H. (2021). . Radiography.
Probst, H., Rosbottom, K., Crank, H., Stanton, A., & Reed, H. (2020). . Radiography.
Probst, H., Burke, G., & Faithfull, S. (2020). . It is a published guideline not a journal.
Probst, H., Burke, G., & Faithfull, S. (2020). . It is a published guideline not a journal.
Probst, H., Barry, J., Clough, H., Lindley, M., Mather, R., Newton, H., ... Burton, M. (2020). . Radiography, 26, S10.
Clarkson, M., Heads, G., Hodgson, D., & Probst, H. (2019). . Radiography, 25 (1), 4-9.
Williams, K., & Probst, H. (2016). . Radiography, 22 (1), S28-S32.
Hardy, M., & Probst, H. (2015). Engineering Patient Safety in Radiation Oncology. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 46 (4), 450-451.
Probst, H., Boylan, M., Nelson, P., & Martin, R.W. (2014). . Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 45 (4), 390-398.
Probst, H., Hutton, D., Collins, M.L., & Adams, R. (2014). Response to Editorial in the JRP by Robson, Clark and White 2014 patient safety: the journey towards safer radiotherapy. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 13 (2), 247-250.
Probst, H., Taylor, A., Bragg, C., Dodwell, D., Haake, S., Hart, J., ... Shuttleworth, P. (2012). . Radiotherapy and Oncology, 103 (S1), S376-S377.
Probst, H., Gallagher, H.L., & Harris, R. (2011). . Radiography, 17 (4), 268-269.
Probst, H., & Harris, R. (2009). Getting started with research. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 8 (2), 57-65.
Vrouvas, J., Dodwell, D., Ash, D., & Probst, H. (1995). Split course radiotherapy for bladder cancer in elderly unfit patients. Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)), 7 (3), 193-195.
Conference papers
Underwood, T.S.A., Appleyard, R.M., Ulman, J., Holborn, C., Smith, S., Hill, S., ... Probst, H. (2024). Patient perspectives on upright radiotherapy. RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY, 194, S5660-S5663.
Ledsom, D., Reilly, A., & Probst, H. (2016). . Radiotherapy and Oncology, 119, S486-S487.
Smith, G., Robson, P., & Probst, H. (2016). . Breast Cancer Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Treatment, 119 (Supp1), S980.
Williams, K., & Probst, H. (2016). . Radiotherapy and Oncology, 119, S174-S175.
Smith, G., Robson, P., & Probst, H. (2016). . Radiotherapy and Oncology, 119, S980.
Harris, R., Beardmore, C., Bolderston, A., James, S., Probst, H., Bennett, C., ... Wells, M. (2015). Practice Guidelines skin care advice for patients undergoing radical external beam megavoltage radiotherapy. RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY, 115, S919.
Probst, H., Wright, C., Lindley, M., Walsh, S., Holland, T., & Sidway, S. (2013). . In UK Radiotherapy and Oncology (UKRO) Conference, East Midland Conference Centre, 21 October 2013 - 23 October 2013.
Probst, H., Eddy, A., & Garth, A. (2011). Supporting the Academic Development of Advanced Practice in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy. Clinical Oncology, 23 (3), S16.
Probst, H., & Griffiths, S. (2007). Time for a Change: Is it Time to Consider Job Redesign for Therapy Radiographers? Clinical Oncology, 19 (3), S43.
Reports
Probst, H., & Burke, G. (2020). Radiation Dermatitis Guidelines for Radiotherapy Healthcare Professionals. College of Radiographers.
Probst, H., & Burke, G. (2020). Radiation Dermatitis Guidelines for Radiotherapy Healthcare Professionals. College of Radiographers.
Theses / Dissertations
Ulman, J. (2022). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Probst, H., Serrant, L., & Dunham, M.
Taylor, A.V. (2020). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Robert, A., Hodgson, D., Burton, M., Collins, K., & Probst, H.
Collins, M. (2018). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Probst, H.
Patents
Stanton, A., Reed, H., & Probst, H. (2019). BRASSIERE WITH INFLATABLE BLADDER. GB20160010811 20160621.
Stanton, A., Reed, H., & Probst, H. (2019). BRASSIERE WITH INFLATABLE BLADDER. GB20160010811 20160621.
Internet Publications
Harris, R., Beardmore, C., Bolderston, A., Burke, G., James, S., & Probst, H. (2015). .
Harris, R., Beardmore, C., Bolderston, A., Burke, G., James, S., & Probst, H. (2015). .
Artefacts
Reed, H., Probst, H., & Stanton, A. (2018). .
Presentations
Probst, H. (2016). . Presented at: UK Radiation Oncology Conference, Liverpool, 2016
Posters
Probst, H. (2020). . Presented at: UK Imaging and Oncology Conference, Virtual, 2020
Hooton, R., & Probst, H. (2018). . Presented at: Disease and diversity, ACC Liverpool, 2018
Rosbottom, K., Probst, H., Choppin, S., Bragg, C.M., Collins, K., Crank, H., ... Langley, J. (2016). . Presented at: UK Radiation Oncology Conference, Liverpool, 2016
Datasets
Probst, H. (n.d.). A support bra to improve accuracy of radiation therapy for women having treatment to the breast..
Other activities
Chair of the College of Radiographers (CoR) Ï㽶ÊÓƵ funding panel
Chair of the Breast Radiotherapy Interest Group (BRIG)
Co-chair of the CoR Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Network
Associate Editor of the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences
Associate Editor of the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice.
Postgraduate supervision
I supervise doctoral students studying aspects of cancer care, specifically breast cancer care, technical delivery of radiotherapy for breast cancer, or research to understand or improve cancer patient experiences of care.
Robert Appleyard, Developing spatial cognition of brain anatomy using an immersive virtual environment PhD
Media
Heidi is a reader in Radiotherapy and specialises in treatment for breast cancer. Her current research is looking at ways to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of breast irradiation whilst making sure the patient experience is as positive as possible. She also has an interest in developing resilience in the radiotherapy workforce in order to avoid emotional exhaustion (known as burnout).