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 collectionregarding socio-demography, anthropometry and lifestyle was extensive, and included nonfastingblood samples. A high validity diet history was used to determine the usual diet. Informationregarding cancer morbidity and mortality from the Swedish Cancer Registry is assessedyearly. 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 productshave lower risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. High intakes of alcohol and energyadjustedfat are associated with increased risk. Also, high intakes of dried soup-sauce-powdersand of fried potatoes are associated with increased breast cancer risk. The MDC has two uniqueassets: the high validity dietary data and the well maintained bio bank. Since a multitude and diverseprocesses likely contribute to chronic disease the active use of biomarkers has become increasinglyimportant to nutrition epidemiology. Clear information about the diet-breast cancer linkis important to many women, because unlike reproductive factors diet is changeable throughoutthe lifecycle.