Dr. Nirmala Rai is a highly accomplished Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist with extensive training and consultant-level experience in the United Kingdom. She is UK-accredited and brings a strong international evidence-based perspective to the comprehensive care of women with gynaecological cancers.
She completed her super-speciality training in Gynaecological Oncology at world-renowned institutions including St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, The Royal London Hospital (Barts Health NHS Trust) and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London. She subsequently worked as a Consultant in the UK before returning to India, where she served at the Tata Cancer Centre, Visakhapatnam, a high-volume regional cancer centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. Rai has worked across several leading, high-volume cancer centres in the UK and India, gaining wide-ranging expertise in the diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of all gynaecological malignancies. In addition to her clinical practice, she has a strong academic background with four years of dedicated research experience focusing on HPV-related disease and ovarian cancer biology. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) research degree from the University of Birmingham, UK.
A firm believer in holistic and compassionate care, Dr. Rai has also completed a Diploma in Palliative Care Medicine from Teesside University in the UK, which enables her to support patients and their families throughout all stages of cancer care.
Known for her clear communication, advanced surgical expertise, and evidence-based approach, Dr. Rai is deeply committed to personalised cancer care. She ensures that patients and their families are fully informed, actively involved, and supported throughout their treatment journey—from diagnosis to survivorship.
- Comprehensive management of all gynaecological cancers
- Diagnosis and treatment of pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix, uterus and vulva
- Surgical management of primary and recurrent cancers of the ovary, cervix, uterus, vulva, and vagina
- Expertise in both open surgeries and minimally invasive procedures
- MBBS – Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli
- DNB (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) – St. Martha’s Hospital, Bengaluru
- MRCOG – Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London,UK
- CCT & Superspecialty Training – London, UK
- FRCOG – Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, UK
- MD (Research Degree) – University of Birmingham, UK
- Diploma in Palliative Care Medicine – Teesside University, UK
- Cambridge Anastomosis Workshop – Cambridge
- Advanced Communication Skills in Cancer – Oxford
- Advanced Colposcopy – London
- Advanced Ovarian & Peritoneal Cytoreductive Surgery Course – California, USA
- Genetics & Genomics Training – London, UK
- Prevention and treatment of gynaecological cancers
- Patient-centred, holistic, and personalised care
- Medical education and training
- Public awareness and cancer prevention initiatives
Dr. Rai has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented widely at international platforms. Her research interests span cancer biology, diagnosis, prehabilitation, and enhanced recovery after surgery, with particular emphasis on HPV-related disease and ovarian cancer.
Her MD thesis—“Biochemical markers and combination testing for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in women with suspicious symptoms”—was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine by the University of Birmingham, is widely cited, and has significantly contributed to diagnostic pathways in ovarian cancer.
Selected Publications:
- Outcomes following implementation of symptom-triggered diagnostic testing for ovarian cancer.European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2015.
- Human papillomavirus infection in Barrett’s esophagus in the UK.Journal of Clinical Virology, 2008.
- Modifying risk factors for gynaecological cancer (Review).Trends in Urology, Gynaecology and Sexual Health, 2007.
- Symptoms, ultrasound imaging and biochemical markers for ovarian cancer diagnosis.Cochrane Database, 2014.
- HPV type distribution in vulval intraepithelial neoplasia.Journal of Medical Virology, 2011.
- Refining Ovarian Cancer Test Accuracy Scores (ROCkeTS).BMJ Open, 2016.
Book Chapters
- Pre-invasive Disease – MRCOG and Beyond, RCOG, 2014
- Future of Cervical Screening, Advances in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2014
- Gynaecologic Cancer and Concurrent Pregnancy, 2015
Research Grants
- Wellbeing of Women Research Grant – 2007
- Small Grant Trust Fund – Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, 2010
- Fellow, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (FRCOG)
- European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO)
- British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS)
- International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS)
- British Society for Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology (BSCCP)
- Bangalore Society of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (BSOG)
