Question Summary:
Is Mastectomy and Mammaplasty permissible?

Question Detail:

Assalamualaikum, I have two questions regarding surgery done on a woman's breasts.
 
1) Is double mastectomy permissible when a woman is told that she does not have breast cancer yet, but she has a high chance of developing it. And the best way to prevent it would be to get a double mastectomy. This surgery would not be done for aesthetic purposes, but would be done in order to prevent cancer in the future.
 
2) Is reduction mammoplasty (breast reduction) permissible when there is a practical reason for it. For example, the woman is experiencing back pain, or discomfort when doing physical activities. This surgery would not be done for aesthetic reasons.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
As-salaamu `alaykum wa-ramatullahi wa-barakatuh.
1. If a reliable doctor advises that there is a strong possibility of a woman having breast cancer in both the breasts, then only mastectomy will be permissible to avoid the spread of cancer.
2. Reduction Mammaplasty is an operation which removes the excess fat and skin from the breasts.
Reduction Mammoplasty is permissible due to medical reasons.[1]
And Allah Ta`ala Knows Best.
Hussein Muhammad.
Student Darul Iftaa
Tanzania
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.