A PIONEERING surgeon who had a breast cancer unit named after him in recognition of his work has died.

Nigel Porter passed away earlier this month at the age of 92 following a short illness.

The consultant surgeon is best known for his work around breast cancer care while at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

He moved to the hospital in the early 1960s and stayed there until his retirement in the mid 1980s.

He originally specialised in bowel surgery and started as a general surgeon at the Royal Sussex.

The bowel surgery specialism led to Mr Porter dealing with cancer patients.

As a result he began to develop a growing interest in the subject.

His daughter Melanie Withers said: “He was excited about all the new developments and changes at the time.

“He was really optimistic about everything that was going on.

“He had a bit of a pioneering spirit about him.”

Mr Porter noticed the distress caused to women who underwent mastectomies and he came up with the idea of carrying out lumpectomies instead.

The idea was to try to find ways to minimise that distress and Mr Porter continued his work in this field.

The aim of creating the Nigel Porter breast cancer unit was to bring together services and treatments under one roof.

It was highly-regarded and regularly praised for its treatment and care.

The unit hit the headlines in 2002 when it outgrew its home at the Royal Sussex and bosses announced plans to move it to Haywards Heath.

Campaigners, supported by The Argus fought a successful battle to keep the unit in Brighton and it was eventually relocated to a new building in Preston Road.

The unit is now called the Park Centre but it remains a legacy to Mr Porter’s work.

Following his retirement, Mr Porter, who lived near Henfield, was able to indulge in his passion for sailing.

He kept a yacht at Brighton Marina and spent many years travelling to and from France.

In later years he also developed an interest in watercolour painting.

Mr Porter leaves a wife, Leone, children Melanie, Hilary and Guy, and five grandchildren.

His funeral will be at St Andrew’s Church, Edburton, on June 28 at 2pm and people are welcome to attend.

His family is asking for donations to be made to St Barnabas House hospice in Worthing via Henfield Funeral Services instead of flowers.