Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States.  The National Cancer Institute estimates that the risk of a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is 1 in 8 (more than half of the lifetime risk is after age 65).  Some cancers are discovered when the woman finds a palpable mass in her breast. Other cases are diagnosed by screening mammography (breast x-ray).  The diagnosis of breast cancer is made by biopsy. 

In-situ breast cancers (Stage 0) have malignant cells within the mammary ducts but do not invade the surrounding breast tissue.  There are two types of carcinoma in-situ: Ductal (DCIS) and Lobular (LCIS). 

In DCIS, the risk of developing recurrent breast cancer is 28% - 54% if no treatment is given beyond the excisional biopsy.  Half of the recurrences will be invasive.  The standard of care is a mastectomy with a subsequent recurrence rate of 1% - 2%.  Another option is lumpectomy plus radiation therapy with recurrence rates of 9% - 21%. 

LCIS is more frequently present in multiple sites or within both breasts.  The risk of invasive recurrent cancer is 17% - 37% if no treatment is given beyond the excisional biopsy.  Treatment options for LCIS include careful follow-up versus bilateral simple mastectomies.

For breast cancer, the mortality risk varies with the stage of the cancer.  Likewise, table ratings or declinations are based on the stage of the cancer, as well as other factors such as tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastasis. 

To get an idea of how a client with a history of breast cancer would be viewed in the underwriting process, call ABS at 1-888-227-3131.