Meet Rebecca

Rebecca Spencer

Rebecca qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 2008 and has been a Breast Reconstruction Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) since 2012. She completed a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) in Adult Nursing with the University of Surrey in 2008 and a BSc (Hons) in Acute Clinical Practice specialising in plastic surgery and breast cancer with the University of Brighton in 2014. She was awarded an MSc in Cancer Care from the University of East Anglia through the Royal Marsden School in 2026.

Rebecca has worked at Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) in East Grinstead since 2004, initially as a healthcare assistant, and has spent her entire nursing career within a specialist plastic surgery setting. Her clinical background includes extensive experience across specialist burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery, maxillofacial wards, and the Enhanced Recovery Area (step-down unit), caring for patients undergoing major reconstructive breast and head and neck surgery.

She is currently employed as a Macmillan Breast Reconstruction CNS at QVH, where she supports patients following a diagnosis of breast cancer or the identification of a genetic mutation. Rebecca works with patients at all stages of their treatment journey, including neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, pre- and post-mastectomy care, radiotherapy, and adjuvant therapies. She also cares for individuals with benign breast conditions such as breast asymmetry, macromastia requiring breast reduction, Poland’s syndrome, and gynaecomastia, giving her a broad understanding of both oncological and non-oncological breast pathways.

Rebecca holds additional qualifications in Level 2 Psychological Therapies and Advanced Communication Skills, supporting a holistic, patient-centred approach and enabling her to communicate complex clinical information sensitively and clearly. 

She has a strong commitment to education and professional development and has taught and presented at national conferences, educational events and on specialist burns and plastic surgery courses. She regularly attends Brighton & South East Breast Days, London Breast Meetings, and national conferences hosted by the Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). Her specialist interests include nipple and areola micropigmentation (medical tattooing) and electrochemotherapy (ECT) treatment.

Rebecca is a member of the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) and the national Breast Reconstruction Nurse Network (BRNN). She is a professional reviewer for Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now patient information resources and serves as an External Professional Advisor (EPA) for both the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).

Rebecca is also a founder, trustee, and secretary of Restore. She began volunteering at breast reconstruction 'show & tell' information events in 2009 and continues to help deliver regular information and support events at QVH. She finds supporting women who are considering breast reconstruction deeply rewarding and values the sense of shared experience and community among volunteers and participants.

Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys listening to music, attending gigs and festivals, travelling, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.