Brazil SUS breast reconstruction surgery rates show growth amid access gaps

Data indicates a significant increase in breast surgeries performed through Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS), with a 54.3% rise between 2016 and 2025, growing from 9,000 to 14,213 procedures annually. Over the analyzed decade, SUS authorized a total of 90,648 breast plastic surgeries. São Paulo recorded the highest number of procedures, followed by Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.

Despite legislative guarantees dating back to 1999 that grant women the right to reconstructive breast surgery following mastectomy, access remains limited. Between 2014 and 2024, only 17% of women who underwent mastectomies due to cancer successfully received breast reconstruction through the SUS. While 2024 saw a historical record of 39.3% for these procedures, coverage remains below international benchmarks, such as the 40-60% targets suggested by European and American standards. Regional disparities are evident, with the South and Southeast regions reaching closer to these benchmarks compared to the North and Central-West regions.