# Why aren't elective mastectomies a 'thing'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 8, 2025, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840 "2025-09-08T07:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/21 "2025-09-08T20:44:56Z")
> [@susan](#): > > If “sliced” is being used in reference to the OP’s question about elective surgery, it’s both dismissive and violent imagery and unnecessary to the discussion. “Sliced” was used by the doctor when my mom had some abnormalities on her mammogram, but it was in the context of “We’re not going to start slicing based on this.” Note: The radiologist took one look and said, “Did you breast feed? This is crystalized milk.” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/22 "2025-09-08T22:52:08Z")
A trans man who worked for us a few years ago had an elective mastectomy and our insurance paid for it. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/23 "2025-09-09T01:04:16Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Perhaps if LSLGuy had said “somebody else paying for elective, cosmetic surgeries” it might have changed your response. Cosmetic yes, elective no. But Kam wasn’t really talking about the cosmetic aspect. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/24 "2025-09-09T01:34:38Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > Yeah, I know it’s a far simpler procedure, but if a health care system pays for a circumcision, it should also pay for breast reduction in most cases. A circumcision is a 10 minute procedure with a local anesthetic and a piece of gauze. A breast reduction is major surgery with a general anesthetic, a likely overnight stay, and follow ups. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/25 "2025-09-09T01:38:22Z")
I thihk you miss @ricepad’s point. Their point is I suspect comparing the extent to which the procedures are medically necessary. Complexity is not relevant to that point. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/26 "2025-09-09T01:46:49Z")
I get the point, I just don’t see them as being at all similar in scope. Incidentally, I’m in the Land of Universal Healthcare™️ where medically required breast reductions are covered but circumcisions are not. In addition, both mammograms and Pap smears are fully covered while the PSA test is not for most men. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/27 "2025-09-09T02:00:58Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > I get the point, I just don’t see them as being at all similar in scope. Well OK, as long as you understand your comment is irrelevant. Seems odd to make it, if so. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/28 "2025-09-09T02:17:17Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > > [@Mijin](#): > > > > I was surprised to google and find that few countries cover breast reduction under general UHC. My country (UK) is among those that does though. > > Canada (at least Ontario does) for other than cosmetic reasons. My almost 18 year old daughter is considering it due to back pain. Just using your post as a reference for providing more information to others; you obviously have all the information you need on this. This does, however, follow the requirements of the Canada Health Act to cover 100% of the cost of **medically necessary** procedures, with the determination of medical necessity being entrusted to the physician in edge cases. Elective mastectomies will generally only be covered for patients at high risk of breast cancer, such as having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene or a personal or family history of breast cancer, or potentially other medical reasons, including gender-affirming surgery. In general, OHIP doesn’t cover procedures for purely cosmetic reasons ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/29 "2025-09-09T02:17:38Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > A trans man who worked for us a few years ago had an elective mastectomy and our insurance paid for it. I presume that the patient’s gender issues were considered serious enough to consider a mastectomy to be therapeutic. That is, I think, a significant difference with the OP’s situation. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/30 "2025-09-09T02:37:54Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Well OK, as long as you understand your comment is irrelevant. My comment is not irrelevant, the two procedures are in no way equivalent. If I give seniors a free bus pass, why not a car? I can still understand the point someone was trying to make while disagreeing with it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/31 "2025-09-09T03:01:11Z")
I’ve never heard of a health insurer that refused to pay for a bona fide breast reduction, although they do require that a certain amount of tissue be removed, ISTR at least a pound on each side. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/32 "2025-09-09T03:23:27Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’ve never heard of a health insurer that refused to pay for a bona fide breast reduction, although they do require that a certain amount of tissue be removed, ISTR at least a pound on each side Yes, I recall talking to an insurance worker off the clock in the 1980s who mentioned that it was unfair to very short women who had proportionately huge breasts, but since there wasn’t a full pound (or whatever the weight floor was) of excess, they wouldn’t be covered. In the OP’s case, I’m guessing a mastectomy with no reconstruction would be a simpler surgery than a reduction/reconstruction. I have absolutely no idea if that’s correct, though. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/33 "2025-09-09T04:00:22Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > the two procedures are in no way equivalent. They are inasmuch as they’re not medically indicated in most instances, yet circumcisions are routinely covered by most (all?) health care systems, at least in the US. I know circumcisions are pretty simple - simple enough that there’s typically no anaesthesia involved, and the patient is alert and awake the whole time. Your comment was mostly irrelevant to my point, but thank you for pointing out the obvious. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/34 "2025-09-09T04:10:02Z")
A transman would need a diagnosis to receive surgery. Don’t let’s get into whether that’s we agree with that or think it’s a thing or hate the ICD. \*\* Reply is to **[Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmer_j.fudd).** ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/35 "2025-09-09T06:24:09Z")
Plus if the concern is cost to the system, a very minor elective procedure that a large percentage of the population gets may well cost more than a major elective procedure that thankfully few women need to undergo. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/36 "2025-09-09T06:30:25Z")
For the record, I don’t ‘need’ a breast-reduction or a mastectomy for medical, psychological or similar reasons. It was a bit of a flippant OP given that, as I’ve outlasted my mammaries usefulness, can’t they just go? Once upon a time, it was pretty routine for post-menopausal women who, regardless of the diagnosis, were recommended to have hysterectomies. Yes, I understand the cost (which is why I won’t be taking this up with my doctor), but still an interesting conversation from my POV. Or not, YMMV etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/37 "2025-09-09T12:30:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I know people who’ve had cosmetic breast reduction. A friend of a friend is a plastic surgeon and she says it’s her favorite surgery to perform because nothing bad had to happen first (e.g., burn) and patients report huge quality of life improvements vs many other elective procedures. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/38 "2025-09-12T21:33:57Z")
**Ode to Saggy Tatas..** I loved you well my pert pair. Sagging low, I don’t care… While you hang, My love’s so deep, Something a wonder bra will never keep… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/39 "2025-09-12T21:49:26Z")
Just order a size “38 extra long” and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2025, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840/40 "2025-09-13T02:05:50Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > > [@ricepad](#): > > > > Yeah, I know it’s a far simpler procedure, but if a health care system pays for a circumcision, it should also pay for breast reduction in most cases. > > A circumcision is a 10 minute procedure with a local anesthetic and a piece of gauze. A breast reduction is major surgery with a general anesthetic, a likely overnight stay, and follow ups. Apples and Oranges. Outside of cultural requirements, there is and never has been a health-related reason to remove the foreskin. Somehow, men have managed to mature and learn to keep their genitals clean and healthy for millennia. That said, it’s 2025 and I’m writing this in the United States. It mystifies me that healthcare systems _do_ pay for circumcisions. As a cis male, I observe and read from the outside of this situation. We’ve at least three people in our tribe who are transitioning to male and have had bilateral mastectomies. Because all three are working with healthcare professionals in their transition, I do not know if their insurance covered the surgical costs. Not my place to ask !! I’m a Cinematographer. One day I was situated outside of a hospital nursery. I was in a room used by the medical personnel, not in the hallway. I was rolling videotape of various newborn babies. Suddenly, I heard a squall. Then, NO MORE THAN 30 seconds later, a second squall. Then a third. I turned and looked to see a male doctor who had just circumcised three boys in 90 seconds. Each one’s freshly snipped penis was being tended by a surgical nurse. Got lightheaded, turned back to the camera. Kept rolling. ( This was before I also worked as an E.M.T., which raised my tolerance for gore right through the roof ). I’ve also held one male 8 day-old baby boy as he got his foreskin removed. It did not take 10 minutes. It took…well, about 30 seconds of careful work with the [cutting device designed for the task.](https://medical-tools.com/shop/mogen-circumcision-instrument-7-5cm-urology-instruments.html?srsltid=AfmBOopR0mbBf3_L6qbjqS6g1rp1AsuPkrRElfi1ZGvcv-Z7mDN_Xrzo) \*\* This is a Work-Safe site showing a surgical device and does NOT show any surgical procedure \*\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-elective-mastectomies-a-thing/1022840.md?page=3)