Dr Karen Desouza

Dr Karen Desouza is a Consultant Medical Oncologist who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of adult cancers. With a primary clinical focus on breast oncology, she provides comprehensive, compassionate, and patient-centred care for individuals navigating a cancer diagnosis. Dr Desouza works collaboratively within multidisciplinary medical teams to design personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient's individual needs, aiming to achieve optimal clinical outcomes while supporting patient well-being throughout their care journey.

Her clinical practice encompasses advanced systemic anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. Dr Desouza possesses expertise in acute oncology, cancer of unknown primary, and complex breast cancer management. She is actively involved in clinical research and service improvement, with special research interests in breast cancer biomarkers, mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies, and safe diagnostic imaging protocols, including positron emission tomography (PET) imaging during pregnancy.

Dr Desouza earned her medical degree (MB BS) and completed a Master of Science (MSc) alongside her specialist higher training in Medical Oncology. She holds Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, MRCP(UK). Her postgraduate training included a prestigious clinical research fellowship dedicated to investigating biomarkers in breast oncology and developing translational clinical studies. Through her ongoing academic contributions, teaching commitments, and clinical leadership, she remains committed to advancing cancer treatments and improving patient care standards.