Drew Barrymore Reflects on Breast Reduction and the Questions More Women Should Be Asking

On Wednesday, March 12, during an episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the 50-year-old host participated in a candid discussion about breast cancer screenings with New York obstetrician-gynecologist Kameelah Phillips, MD. During their conversation, Barrymore made a rare mention of the breast reduction surgery she underwent at 17, inquiring how such body alterations might impact the examination process.

For those with a history of breast surgery, routine mammograms are often supplemented with additional imaging methods like ultrasounds and MRIs to ensure a more comprehensive screening. “While MRIs provide detailed images, they can be intimidating due to contrast agents that might cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, or allergic reactions,” ultrasound sonographer and founder of SonoBreasts, Jasmine Khorsandi, previously told NewBeauty. “They can also be expensive, and the confined space of the MRI machine can be unsettling. In contrast, ultrasounds are less expensive, typically costing a few hundred dollars, and offer a more comfortable experience without the need for contrast.”

Barrymore stressed the importance of additional screenings, confirming that she always gets both a mammogram and an ultrasound. (Worth noting: Gwyneth Paltrow has also advocated for ultrasounds as an extra precaution between mammograms.)

“What if someone’s had a reduction, like me?” Barrymore asked Dr. Phillips. “What if someone has had implants or enhancements like a lot of people out there? How does any alteration of our bodies also play into the examination process?” In response, Dr. Phillips stressed the importance of imaging beyond standard mammograms for those with breast modifications.

While Barrymore’s discussion centered on breast cancer screenings, it’s rare for her to talk about her breast reduction surgery itself. However, in a 1998 interview with the New York Daily News, she opened up about the deeply personal reasons behind her decision “I really love my body and the way it is right now,” she told the outlet at the time. “There’s something very awkward about women and their breasts because men look at them so much.

She also shared the physical and emotional toll of having larger breasts. “When they’re huge, you become very self-conscious,” she continued. “Your back hurts. You find that whatever you wear, you look heavy in. It’s uncomfortable.”