Born in Saguenay, Dr. Provencher completed her medical studies and training in general surgery at Université Laval. Subsequently, she did a fellowship in surgical oncology in London, England, before spending a year at Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo. In 1987, she joined the team at Saint-Sacrement Hospital as a surgical oncologist, and in 1995 earned a master’s degree in health science education from Université Laval.
Very actively involved in clinical research, Dr. Provencher has been principal investigator or co-investigator in several international multicentre studies sponsored by prestigious organizations such as the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Breast Cancer International Research Group, in addition to participating in studies funded by pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Provencher also participates in several Canadian advisory committees on breast cancer. She is a member of the research team of the Centre des maladies du sein Deschênes-Fabia and that of the Unité de recherche en santé des populations, which has conducted several original research projects dealing with epidemiology, breast cancer causes, evaluative research and patients’ quality of life.
A member of the Group’s Scientific Committee since its creation, Dr. Provencher was its President from July 7, 2019 to July 7, 2021 and remains involved as Medical Advisor for the Programme Accès-recherche.
Dr. Provencher has published numerous scientific articles, speaks frequently in Quebec and throughout the world, and has organized several conferences on breast cancer. She has received numerous awards and special mentions including the YWCA’s Woman of Distinction 2006 (Health Category, Quebec region) and the 2003 Médecins de cœur et d’action award, presented by the Association des médecins de langue française du Canada. In May 2012, the Quebec College of Physicians presented Dr. Provencher with its Award of Excellence in recognition of 30 years of outstanding work with women with breast cancer.