Abstract
The Malmö Diet Cancer (MDC) group is a population-based cohort (n = 28 098) among Malmö inhabitants,
aged 45-73 years at the time of baseline examinations in 1991-1996. Data collection
regarding socio-demography, anthropometry and lifestyle was extensive, and included nonfasting
blood samples. A high validity diet history was used to determine the usual diet. Information
regarding cancer morbidity and mortality from the Swedish Cancer Registry is assessed
yearly. Findings support the accepted hypotheses that a lifetime overexposure to sex hormones
(modern reproductive patterns) and obesity promote postmenopausal breast cancer. Also,
women with high intakes (compared to low intakes) of fibre, folic acid and fermented milk products
have lower risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. High intakes of alcohol and energyadjusted
fat are associated with increased risk. Also, high intakes of dried soup-sauce-powders
and of fried potatoes are associated with increased breast cancer risk. The MDC has two unique
assets: the high validity dietary data and the well maintained bio bank. Since a multitude and diverse
processes likely contribute to chronic disease the active use of biomarkers has become increasingly
important to nutrition epidemiology. Clear information about the diet-breast cancer link
is important to many women, because unlike reproductive factors diet is changeable throughout
the lifecycle.
Population-Based Nutrition Epidemiology
