What are the opening hours?

Monday 07:30 - 16:30 Tuesday 07:30 - 16:30 Wednesday 07:30 - 16:30 Thursday 07:30 - 16:30 Friday 07:30 - 16:30

Dr Lucienne van Schalkwyk

Home
South Africa
Pretoria
Dr Lucienne van Schalkwyk

Call Directions Website Contact the practice

Specialist Breast Surgeon Tickled Pink

Dr Lucienne van Schalkwyk is a specialist surgeon focused exclusively on breast surgery.

She offers treatment of a range of breast conditions (breast cancer and non-cancerous conditions) through bespoke breast surgery, and has a keen interest in the management of breast cancer in young women.Working with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, each and every management plan will be as unique as the individual patient.

22/05/2026

CT scans provide extremely useful information to your treatment team. Renthia, a breast cancer survivor, shares some useful, practical tips on preparing for a CT scan.

https://youtu.be/ZGBWuUUGaCw

17/04/2026

Breast pain (mastalgia) is common—and simple changes can sometimes help

✨ A well-fitted, supportive bra is a first-line, low-risk option that may improve discomfort.

Why it helps:
✔️ Reduces breast movement and strain
✔️ Supports delicate ligament structures
✔️ Improves comfort during daily activities and exercise

You may notice the biggest benefit if you:
• Have larger breasts
• Experience pain during exercise
• Feel your current bra isn’t offering enough support

Many women are wearing the wrong size without realising it—so a proper bra fitting can make a difference.

⚠️ Important: This is for mild, typical breast pain only. It does not replace a medical assessment.
If you have a new lump, persistent or worsening pain, ni**le discharge, skin changes, or any concern—please seek medical care promptly.

02/03/2026

New Month, New Scrubs!

27/02/2026

Coping with anxiety after breast cancer treatment

Some simple, practical things that can help day to day:
• Move your body regularly — walking, gentle strength work, yoga or stretching
• Slow the nervous system with breathing exercises, meditation, or grounding practices
• Write things down — journaling helps get anxious thoughts out of your head
• Create structure: regular sleep, meals, and a loose daily routine
• Limit caffeine and alcohol if anxiety feels worse
• Stay connected — trusted friends, family, or others who’ve been through this
• Set small, meaningful goals that remind you life is bigger than cancer

Sometimes, though, these steps aren’t enough —
Persistent or overwhelming anxiety may need extra support, such as psychotherapy (including CBT or mindfulness-based approaches), or medication. Needing help doesn’t mean you’re weak: it means you’re taking your healing seriously — mentally as well as physically. 💗

18/02/2026

Why does breast cancer–related anxiety start… and why can it linger after treatment ends? 🎀

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the body — it can have a lasting effect on your mind as well.

For many women, the diagnosis arrives unexpectedly and brings multiple appointments with different specialists, long periods of waiting, uncertainty, and fear of recurrence or death.

Treatment itself can be overwhelming: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapies place the body under intense physical stress, often alongside rapid and lasting hormonal changes.

At the same time, many people are coping with visible body changes — scars, hair loss, altered breasts — which can affect identity, sexuality, and confidence. Add younger age, limited support, or financial pressure, and the nervous system stays on high alert.

During treatment, your body operates on red alert- a state of high anxiety.

When treatment ends, medical contact decreases — but the fear doesn’t automatically switch off. For many, this is when anxiety intensifies, not fades.

The body has learned that danger came without warning, and it takes time to relearn safety.

09/02/2026

Will the fear of breast cancer coming back ever go away?

This is one of the most common questions patients ask.

The short answer:
💬 For many people, the fear changes over time — but it might always be there, to a lesser or greater degree.

Even after treatment is finished, it’s very normal to feel anxious:
• before follow-up appointments
• when you notice a new ache or sensation
• around anniversaries or reminders
• when someone else is diagnosed
• when life finally “slows down” or “goes back to normal” again

Many people are surprised by this. They expect that once treatment ends, anxiety disappears.

But while your body is healing, your mind may stay on high alert.

Over time, for most people:
• the anxiety becomes less intense
• it takes up less mental space
• it comes and goes rather than staying constant

In the next posts, we’ll talk about:
• why cancer-related anxiety happens in the first place
• why it can linger long after treatment ends
• what actually helps anxiety over time
• and when extra support can make a real difference

30/01/2026

When people are deciding between breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy + radiotherapy) and mastectomy, it’s natural to focus on survival and recurrence risk.

But there’s something else that matters — and patients often say they wish they’d heard more about it upfront:

How does life actually feel after surgery?

Studies that ask patients directly — called patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) — consistently show that, on average:

▫️ People who have breast-conserving surgery report
• higher satisfaction with body image
• better physical comfort
• fewer long-term daily limitations

▫️ People who choose mastectomy are more likely to experience
• long-term numbness or tightness
• ongoing chest wall discomfort
• a longer physical and emotional recovery (even with reconstruction)

This does not mean one option is right for everyone.
It does mean every patient deserves to understand what each path can involve — beyond the operating theatre.

💬 The best decision is an informed decision, shaped by your values, your fears, and your life.

If you’re facing this choice, ask about quality of life outcomes, not just cancer control.

23/10/2025

I’m incredibly honoured to share that I’ve been voted Best General Surgeon in this year’s Best of Pretoria Readers’ Choice Awards! ✨

A heartfelt thank you to every single person who took the time to vote — this recognition means the world to me. 🙏
It’s a privilege to be trusted with your health and care.

Your confidence and support inspire us to keep raising the bar, every single day!

20/10/2025

Saturday was all about pink, purpose, and great company! 💗
Our Life Groenkloof Hospital Breast Cancer Unit team joined the breast cancer awareness breakfast hosted by De Mûelenaere Oncology — and it truly ticked every box:

✨ Informative talks
🍽️ Delicious food
👭 Wonderful people
🌸 The prettiest pink décor from
🥂 And yes… mimosas!

15/10/2025

A beautiful pink ribbon blooms in our practice this spring 🌸💗 — a joyful artificial flower arrangement by Flora Mystique, created to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and celebrate hope, renewal, and resilience.

Address

Room 108, Medical Centre, 50 George Storrar Drive, Groenkloof
Pretoria
0181

Opening Hours

Monday	07:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 16:30
Thursday	07:30 - 16:30
Friday	07:30 - 16:30

Telephone

+27870770401

Website

http://www.breast-surgeon.co.za/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr Lucienne van Schalkwyk posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Dr Lucienne van Schalkwyk:

Want your practice to be the top-listed clinic in Pretoria?