Vanessa L. Prowler, MD, FACS

Breast Surgical Oncology

Dr. Vanessa Prowler is a Breast Surgical Oncologist, a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer and benign breast diseases. She graduated from Medical School at the Florida State University College of Medicine in 2010.  She completed her General Surgery residency at the University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine. She completed her Breast Surgery Fellowship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City.  Dr. Prowler currently sees patients at the Hollis Cancer Center in Lakeland, FL, a nationally recognized program and is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

Breast cancer continues to be the leading cancer diagnosed in women, with over 300,00 new cases annually. Due to advances in treatment in the past 30 years, death rates have dropped by 40%, leading to almost 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Unfortunately, the treatments have collateral damage and can result in life-long side effects. Dr. Prowler’s expertise and passion is to employ the latest research findings, most advanced techniques, and cutting-edge technologies to provide the best possible outcomes while minimizing these side effects. She uses Savi scout for localization instead of the traditional wire, which is more convenient for patients on the day of surgery, reduces the amount of tissue removed, and is more accurate. She has published her work on this technology. Additionally, she was one of the first surgeon in central Florida to perform lymphovenous bypass during axillary lymph node dissection to reduce the incidence of lymphedema, a highly debilitating condition.

Women who undergo surgery for breast cancer are often reminded of their diagnosis daily in the mirror by a visible scar.  Because Dr. Prowler understands the emotional turmoil of this constant reminder, she utilizes the Hidden Scar technique and other advanced oncoplastic procedures to restore and even enhance the cosmetic outcome following surgery in the breast. She received additional training in oncoplastic breast surgery during Fellowship and continues to learn new techniques from nationally recognized surgeons. Dr. Prowler’s goal is to remove the breast disease but  make it look as though the patient never had surgery, in an effort to rapidly restore quality of life in women.

She has a specialized interest in cancer genetics, which has advanced dramatically over the last few years. Discoveries have led to a greater understanding of who and why certain people develop cancer, which can result in earlier detection and prevention. Dr. Prowler has received advanced training in Cancer Genetics and Cancer Risk Assessment from the City of Hope.   

Tampa is Dr. Prowler’s forever home, and when she is not working, she enjoys working out at the gym, spending time with her family, and boating.  She recognizes the important of daily physical exercise for cognitive health, stamina, and overall longevity, both as a female surgeon and someone that has dedicated her life to helping her patients be their best selves.