Doctor's Life Magazine, Tampa Bay Doctor's Life Tampa Bay Vol. 2 Issue 2, 201 | Page 14

Physician Spotlight

Dr. Cynthia Harris

How long have you lived in the Tampa Bay area?
I have lived here since 2006 (but I moved away for one year in
2008 to Indianapolis, Ind.
What is your favorite Tampa Bay restaurant?
There are so many great restaurants in Tampa Bay that offer a
tremendous variety including the Columbia, Bern’s, Malio’s and
Grille One Sixteen. But I really enjoy Seasons 52, which offers
fresh, seasonally inspired, and healthy choices.
Where is your favorite place in Tampa Bay to relax?
Any of our beautiful beaches.
What is your favorite event to attend in Tampa Bay?
The Mainsail Art Festival held in April at Vinoy Park in downtown
St. Petersburg.
If you had never become a physician, what would’ve been
your plan B or second career choice?
My second career choice would have likely involved business or
finance.
How important is it today for physicians to be involved with
the community, and how important is it to you personally?
I think it is very important for physicians to be involved with the
community as we have the opportunity to act as positive role
models to children, teens and young adults, sharing the benefits of
education. Physicians also have inherent and learned leadership
skills that can be used to exert positive change in the community.
How Long have you been with Moffitt Cancer Center?
I have been at Moffitt Cancer Center for 4 ½ years. I joined Moffitt
in 2009, completing an advanced endoscopy fellowship (one
year of extra training), and became a faculty member in 2010.
What has been the most rewarding accolade from working
at Moffitt Cancer Center?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to offer excellent
patient care at a world-class center by working with phenomenally
talented colleagues, striving to reach our mission of contributing
to the prevention and cure of cancer.
What is The Cellvizio System, a new technology you are
using for cancer detection?
The Cellvizio System is a technology, also known as confocal
laser endomicroscopy, that allows a physician to look at tissue
on a cellular level much like a pathologist would. However, we
are able to see the tissue in real time so that we may detect and
treat cancer in its earliest stage, and at the time of the procedure,
instead of waiting on a biopsy result.
How is Cellvizio reducing health care costs?
Cellvizio has the potential to reduce overall health care costs as it
relates to cancer care by finding cancer earlier. If cancer is found
in its earliest stage, this potentially could result in less extensive
and invasive treatment. In addition, it helps me make immediate
treatment decisions at the first procedure instead of having to

14

Dr. Cynthia
Harris is a
gastroenterologist
in the Division
of Endoscopic
Oncology in the
Gastrointestinal
Oncology Program
at Moffitt Cancer
Center. Dr. Harris
is an assistant
professor at the
University of South
Florida College
of Medicine’s
Department of
Oncologic Sciences.

Dr. Harris received her medical degree from the
University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed
an internal medicine residency at University of Miami/
Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. She pursued
additional training through a gastroenterology fellowship
at the University of Kentucky and an advanced endoscopic
fellowship at USF/Moffitt.

repeat a procedure in the future for treatment.
Tell us briefly what this new technology Cellvizio means to
you and how it is benefiting your department and patients.
Cellvizio is another valuable tool used in our fight against cancer.
It helps supplement our other techniques and has changed how
we manage patients in several instances. One of its roles is in
pancreatic cyst work. Some of these pancreatic cysts are benign,
some are precancerous, and others are cancerous. Most recently, I
evaluated a woman with a cyst in the pancreas. Cellvizio confirmed
a precancerous cyst when the other usual diagnostic methods were
not clear. I was able to offer her surgery for a high-risk condition that,
if not addressed, might have led to pancreatic cancer.
In your opinion has recent technology improved the fight
against cancer and why?
I think that recent technology, drug development and patient
education have all improved our fight against cancer. Early
detection of many types of cancer has led to improved survival
and decreased mortality. For instance, we have seen a decline in
the incidence of colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer death
due to improved screening such as with colonoscopy. Also, we
have improved cancer awareness and the need for screening
and prevention through various educational programs, celebrity
endorsements, and the work of many not-for-profit groups who
have made it their sole mission to prevent various cancers.

Doctor’s Life Tampa Bay

Issue 2, 2014