The questionnaire was sent by mail and included information on diet and alcohol intake, parity, age at first birth, family history of breast cancer, weight, height, education level and marital status.

An appointment was also made for a mammography screening.

Information from health registries is updated every year (1-2 years delay).

Incident cases of cancer were ascertained by record linkages of the study population with the National Swedish Cancer Register and the Regional Cancer Registers. Cardiovascular and other diseases, as well as surgeries and causes of death, are identified by linkage to the National Inpatient Register and other registries at the Swedish Board of Health and Welfare. Dates of deaths are ascertained through the Swedish Death Register.

The second questionnaire collected information on diet and alcohol intake, dietary supplements, family history of cancer and myocardial infarction, age at menarche, history of oral contraceptive use, age at menopause, postmenopausal hormone use, disease diagnoses, body weight across the life course, current waist and hip circumferences, medication use and lifestyle factors including history of cigarette smoking, physical activity and sleep habits.

Information on dates that participants moved out of the study area was obtained by linkage with the Swedish Population Register.

Participants from Uppsala were invited to participate in a health examination including measures of height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure and a DXA scan. Additional questionnaires were completed.

Blood, urine and adipose tissue were also collected.

The 2008 questionnaire collected information including general health status, disease diagnoses, current body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, dental health, medication use, sleep habits, urine and bowel habits, family history of selected diseases, stress and social support.

The fourth questionnaire collected information on diet and alcohol intake, dietary supplements, smoking, physical activity and sun habits.

In a second recruitment round, additional SMC participants were invited for inclusion in the clinical subcohort. As in recruitment 1, the women took part in a health examination including measures of height, weight, waist, hip, upper arm and calf circumferences, sagittal height, blood pressure and pulse. Functional tests of grip strenght, chair stand and walking were performed. Additional questionnaires were also completed.

In addition, a cognitive function test via telephone was conducted. This round was partly a targeted recruitment of the oldest cohort participants (visited in their homes if needed), who also completed a MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) test in person.

Blood, urine, adipose tissue and faeces were also collected.

Women who participated in the first SMC clinical subcohort in 2003-2009 are currently recruited for repeated collection of biological samples and clinical measurements.

The women take part in a health examination including measures of height, weight, waist, hip, upper arm and calf circumferences, sagittal height, blood pressure, and a DXA scan. Functional tests of grip strenght, chair stand and walking are performed. Additional questionnaires are also completed.

In addition, a cognitive function test via telephone is conducted and a completed a MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) test is done in person.

Blood, urine, adipose tissue and faeces are collected.