Dr Apurna Jegannathen

Professional statement

Dr Apurna Jegannathen is a leading consultant clinical oncologist based in Birmingham. She sees patients at the highly regarded Nuffield Health - North Staffordshire Hospital and GenesisCare. She specialises in the treatment of all stages of breast cancer, lung cancer, carcinoma of unknown primary, radical radiotherapy, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for lung and oligometastasis, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and personalised precision therapy using next-generation sequencing (also known as genomic signatures). Dr Jegannathen is the former clinical director for cancer services at the University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM). 

Alongside her posts at the University Hospital of North Midlands and the Nuffield Health North Staffordshire Hospitals, Dr Jegannathen holds the position of SABR lead and lung cancer lead at UHNM, and has held the clinical director post for oncology, haematology, palliative care, and immunology. Additionally, she has recently been appointed as deputy chair for West Midlands Lung Cancer Advisory Group.

Dr Jegannathen previously completed training at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, the Royal Preston Hospital, the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, and at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Birmingham, as well as a period as visiting fellow at the renowned Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Alongside her clinical work, Dr Jegannathen is actively involved in clinical research, and is principal investigator on many trials in lung and breast cancer, and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals. She also devotes time to the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate medical professionals. Along with the clinical research, Dr Jegannathen shares multiple educational regional meetings on lung and breast cancer supported by pharmaceutical companies (Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Lilly, Otsuka, Eisai and Merck, Helsinn).

Aside from her expertise in oncology, Dr Jegannathen is fascinated by music therapy. She has a passion for vocal and instrumental music and she plays the Veena, which is an Indian classical instrument. She encourages her patients to listen to her music which produces a relaxing and calming effect.