Brazil's public health system sees 54% rise in breast surgeries

The Brazilian public health system (SUS) recorded a 54.3% increase in breast plastic surgeries between 2016 and 2025, rising from about 9,000 to 14,213 procedures per year. Over the ten‑year period, SUS approved a total of 90,648 breast surgeries, of which 82.3% (74,619 cases) were non‑esthetic procedures such as reconstructions for congenital deformities, hypertrophy, or post‑cancer treatment. The pandemic year 2020 saw a sharp drop, with only 4,547 operations – roughly half the usual volume. The data, released by the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica – Regional Rio de Janeiro (SBCP‑RJ) at the 45th Jornada Carioca de Cirurgia Plástica, show a strong regional concentration: São Paulo led with 30,265 surgeries, followed by Minas Gerais (9,836), Rio de Janeiro (9,115), Rio Grande do Sul (6,000) and Bahia (5,731). Together, the Southeast states accounted for 56.1% of all non‑esthetic and reconstructive breast procedures.