An autistic woman who underwent a double mastectomy at just 16 years old has been awarded $2 million in compensation. In the first verdict of its kind, a jury in New York State gave Fox Varian $1.6 million for pain and suffering, with $400,000 for future medical expenses. According to court documents, the now 22-year-old was diagnosed with autism at 14 and struggled with anxiety, depression and an eating disorder. Speaking in court, Varian said she quickly realised that the procedure was a mistake. According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, mastectomies currently account for the majority of trans-affirming surgeries for under-18s.

Source: Washington Post February 05, 2026 21:49 UTC