Cancer > Hope in the Fight: Dr. Elisabeth Heath and the Power of Cancer Research

Hope in the Fight: Dr. Elisabeth Heath and the Power of Cancer Research

“Every effort we make, no matter how small, contributes to progress.”

By Ellen Pitcher Photography by Paul Flessland

Elisabeth Heath, M.D., has spent her distinguished 20-year career reimagining what’s possible for those with genitourinary cancers. She’s driven by a passion to find new and better solutions for her patients.

Dr. Heath’s dedication to helping her patients achieve better outcomes is contributing to meaningful progress in cancer research. It includes everything from spearheading a nationally recognized prostate cancer research program to launching innovative education and community outreach efforts. Since joining Mayo Clinic as the chair of the Department of Oncology in 2024, she has continued that mission — bringing her bold, patient-centered vision to life. In doing so, she’s delivering more answers and renewed hope for more people.

Dr. Heath sat down with Mayo Clinic Magazine to discuss her work in genitourinary cancers and her vision for the future. This interview has been edited for clarity.

Why did you choose to join Mayo Clinic?

Mayo Clinic’s mission — the needs of the patient come first — has also been my guiding principle throughout my career. Mayo Clinic is a unique place where everyone is actively engaged in this mission. The abundance of resources available to all, not just a select few, is truly astounding. The collective commitment to the mission is palpable — it’s a unique and inspiring place to work. There's no other place like it, honestly, anywhere. In short, Mayo Clinic had me at “hello.”

What initially sparked your interest in genitourinary oncology?

Thinking back to 2003, Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment options for prostate, kidney or bladder cancer were extremely limited. For an investigator like me interested in developing novel strategies, this represented a wide-open field.

For example, in advanced prostate cancer, mitoxantrone (approved in 1996) only improved quality of life, not overall survival. It wasn’t until 2004 that docetaxel became the first chemotherapy to demonstrate a survival benefit. Similarly, in 2003 kidney cancer treatment options were also limited. Interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha offered only modest improvements in overall survival. In bladder cancer, treatment consisted primarily of standard chemotherapy.

The potential to impact patients’ lives through clinical trials and drug development was immense. This is where I saw a critical need for dedicated investigators.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of translating research findings into improved patient care?

I recall a consultation in 2003 with a gentleman suffering from advanced prostate cancer. At the time there were no available clinical trials. At that appointment, I remember his wife of nearly 60 years and the deep sadness of everyone in the room. The stark lack of treatment options was heartbreaking. Today, the abundance of treatment options underscores that cancer research saves lives. Knowing your community and sharing this message of hope with the public is incredibly important and rewarding.

Today, the abundance of treatment options underscores that cancer research saves lives. Knowing your community and sharing this message of hope with the public is incredibly important and rewarding.
— Elisabeth Heath, M.D.

What innovative approaches or technologies do you believe hold the greatest promise for improving treatment outcomes in genitourinary cancers?

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers enormous potential. AI-driven prognostic modeling in prostate cancer has been used for nearly two decades. However, the broader implementation of AI in this field is still in its early stages. While immune-based strategies haven’t been highly successful in advanced prostate cancer, AI can help us understand why and develop more effective approaches. AI also has a significant role to play in clinical trial development, patient selection and matching. This innovation will not only benefit patients with genitourinary cancers but also those with other solid tumors.

What does ‘patient experience’ mean to you personally, and how did that perspective develop through your own interactions in healthcare?

We excel in understanding the data as experts and communicating the science as leaders in the field. However, effectively communicating with patients and their families is equally important. If you can't articulate everything to the patient or the family, you haven’t done your job to the best of your ability.

The patient experience must include ensuring that patients understand the treatment process. This sometimes requires multiple visits to fully grasp the information. For example, to achieve broad representation in clinical trial enrollment, we’ve found that two to three, or even four, visits may be necessary. A patient may not be ready to participate on the first visit. It’s our responsibility to clearly articulate the information and meet patients where they are.

What is one thing you want people to understand about the importance of supporting cancer research and patient care?

Cancer research saves lives, and it requires resources. Every contribution, from $1 to $100 million, matters. This is everyone's fight to be engaged in. It's going to affect somebody you love, somebody you're related to. We’re all in the fight. The landscape of cancer treatment is constantly evolving because every effort we make, no matter how small, is contributing to progress. We must share the advancements we make at Mayo Clinic with the broader community.