IJE Advance Access published online on July 20, 2007
International Journal of Epidemiology, doi:10.1093/ije/dym137
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Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2007; all rights reserved.
Cohort Profile: The Norwegian Women and Cancer Study—NOWAC—Kvinner og kreft
1Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
2Department of Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Centre, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway.
3Cancer Registry of Norway, 0310 Oslo, Norway.
*Corresponding author. Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. E-mail: Eiliv.lund@ism.uit.no
Accepted 6 June 2007
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| How did the study come about? |
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In the early 80s, a case-control study in California found an association between use of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) and breast cancer risk1 inducing great public concern in many countries. A group of researchers in Norway and Sweden therefore decided to conduct a population-based case-control study of OCs and breast cancer among young women.2 They found an elevated breast cancer risk for both total duration and for current OC use. However, the findings were strongly debated,3 and in several later review articles possible sources of bias in this study were proposed.4,5 Because of the potential problems of selection bias, recall bias and survivor bias with case-control studies, we decided to establish a prospective cohort study to explore the original hypothesis of use of OCs being a risk factor for breast cancer, as well as explore other risk factors for breast cancer. The data collection for the Norwegian Women and Cancer
| What does it cover? |
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Internal validity
| Who is in the sample? |
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How often have they been followed up?
Second mailing
Third mailing
Passive follow-up by linkages
Active follow-up
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| What has it found? |
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| What are the main strengths and weaknesses? |
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| Can I get hold of the data? Where can I find out more? |
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| The study group |
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