Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Ashutosh (Ash) K. Tewari, MD, Urologist and Prostate Cancer Specialist
Host: Grace Lynn Keller
Date: December 12, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Dr. Ashutosh (Ash) K. Tewari, chairman of the Department of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discusses significant trends in prostate cancer, cutting-edge approaches in early diagnosis and patient monitoring, and his philosophy on leadership in healthcare. The conversation covers the increasing prevalence of prostate cancer, innovations in minimally invasive treatment, and advice for future leaders in medicine.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Tewari’s Background and Current Roles

[00:28 – 01:29]

• Background: Surgeon scientist leading Urology at Mount Sinai; also Surgeon-in-Chief for a new specialized cancer hospital at Mount Sinai Health System.
• Research Focus: Integrates surgery with in-depth study of prostate cancer genetics and molecular imaging.
• Daily Life: Continues daily surgical practice alongside research, with ongoing NIH funding.
  • Quote: “I am a surgeon scientist. I started by being a surgeon and early on in the journey I realized that maybe I should learn a little bit more deeper part of the genetics of the prostate cancer and molecular imaging part of the prostate cancer.” (Dr. Tewari, 00:45)

2. Current Trends in Prostate Cancer

[01:44 – 03:12]

• Rising Incidence: With advances in cardiac care, cancer—especially prostate cancer—is becoming more prevalent globally, affecting over 350,000 men annually.
• Complex Challenges: Emphasizes not just treatment, but effective diagnosis, risk stratification, and deciding when to intervene.
• Quality of Life: A major focus is reducing treatment-related impacts on sexual function.
  • Quote: “My main focus has been as to how to minimize deranged sexual function after treating a prostate cancer patient. And it's a journey and we have made progresses, but we are not at the finish line.” (Dr. Tewari, 02:39)

3. Recent Achievements and Initiatives

[03:12 – 05:33]

• Anatomical Advances: Improved understanding of prostate anatomy and nerve relationships has led to refined surgical approaches, reducing collateral damage.
• Active Monitoring: Large patient cohorts are closely followed using biopsy, imaging, genomics, and molecular markers, helping avoid unnecessary interventions for low-risk cancers.
• Early Diagnosis – The “Million Strong” Initiative:
  • Goal: Early detection when cancer is more curable and quality of life can be preserved.
  • Deploys mobile units equipped with advanced imaging and point-of-care testing to reach communities.
  • Impact: Over 2012,000 patients reached in three years, with programs expanding to Atlanta (Emory) and Long Island.
  • Quote: “...we want to find out cancer early, when it is curable, when it is not creating any symptom. Because that is the time when you cannot just cure the cancer, but can also result in having a better quality of life in the patient.” (Dr. Tewari, 04:19)
  • Quote: “I have created mobile units. These mobile units are equipped with the best imaging modality, with a point of care, blood testing and they go to where people live.” (Dr. Tewari, 04:36)

4. Leadership in Healthcare

[05:33 – 07:16]

• Philosophy: Leadership is about leading by example, compassion, and creating platforms for others to thrive.
• Patient-Centric Vision: The primary goal in healthcare is patient care—minimizing anxiety and improving outcomes.
• Collaborative Culture: Leaders must cultivate environments where all members—doctors, nurses, PAs, technologists, administrators—can align with patient-focused missions.
• Continuous Learning: Emphasizes the importance of learning, adapting, retraining, ambition, and mentorship.
  • Quote: “You lead by your actions, you lead by example, you lead by your compassion, you lead by showing people how to look at the future.” (Dr. Tewari, 06:00)
  • Quote: “Ultimately patient centric approach will give them to the next level in their journey. And it's all about learning, it's all about responding, it's all about retraining, and it's all about ambitions and mentorship. That's what I would call the leadership.” (Dr. Tewari, 06:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On combining surgery and science:
  • “I am a surgeon scientist. I started by being a surgeon and early on in the journey I realized that maybe I should learn a little bit more deeper part of the genetics of the prostate cancer and molecular imaging part of the prostate cancer.” (Dr. Tewari, 00:45)
• On improving quality of life:
  • “My main focus has been as to how to minimize deranged sexual function after treating a prostate cancer patient. And it's a journey and we have made progresses, but we are not at the finish line.” (Dr. Tewari, 02:39)
• On the importance of early detection:
  • “We want to find out cancer early, when it is curable, when it is not creating any symptom. ...you cannot just cure the cancer, but can also result in having a better quality of life in the patient.” (Dr. Tewari, 04:19)
• On mobile diagnostic innovation:
  • “I have created mobile units...equipped with the best imaging modality, with a point of care, blood testing and they go to where people live.” (Dr. Tewari, 04:36)
• On leadership:
  • “You lead by your actions, you lead by example, you lead by your compassion, you lead by showing people how to look at the future.” (Dr. Tewari, 06:00)
  • “Ultimately patient centric approach will give them to the next level in their journey...” (Dr. Tewari, 06:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45 – Dr. Tewari discusses his surgeon-scientist journey
• 01:44 – Current trends and challenges in prostate cancer
• 03:23 – Advances in understanding prostate anatomy and nerve sparing surgery
• 04:19 – Launch of “Million Strong” early detection initiative
• 04:36 – Details on mobile diagnostic units
• 05:57 – Dr. Tewari’s advice on leadership in healthcare
• 06:43 – Emphasis on patient-centered leadership and continuous learning

Conclusion

This episode offers an inside look into the future of prostate cancer care, blending scientific advancement, clinical innovation, and compassionate leadership. Dr. Tewari’s emphasis on early detection, minimally invasive intervention, and enduring patient quality of life marks a significant contribution to the field. His reflections on leadership underscore the importance of vision, adaptability, and patient-centered values in shaping tomorrow’s healthcare landscape.