The Generations Study is a long-term prospective cohort study focussed on potential aetiological factors for breast cancer in women. The participants are volunteers from the UK general population.
alcoholic units from beer collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
current regular alcohol consumption at R1
number of days having drunk alcohol in the last 7 days at R1
glasses of alcohol collected at R1, per wk
glasses of alcohol at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
glasses of alcohol at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
glasses of alcohol at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from wine collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from wine at age 18-24 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from wine at age 25-49 collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from wine at age 50+ collected at R1, per wk
alcoholic units from beer collected at R2, per wk
current regular alcohol consumption at R2
number of days having drunk alcohol in the last 7 days at R2
glasses of alcohol collected at R2, per wk
glasses of alcohol collected at R2 per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol collected at R2, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine collected at R2, per wk
alcoholic units from rose wine collected at R2, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry collected at R2, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits collected at R2, per wk
age stopped regular alcohol consumption at R2
alcoholic units from white wine collected at R2, per wk
alcoholic units from wine collected at R2, per wk
alcoholic units from beer collected at R4, per wk
current regular alcohol consumption at R4
number of days having drunk alcohol in the last 7 days at R4
glasses of alcohol collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from rose wine collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits collected at R4, per wk
age stopped regular alcohol consumption reported at R4
alcoholic units from white wine collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from wine collected at R4, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from beer at age 50+, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from other alcohol at age 50+, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from red wine at age 50+, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from sherry at age 50+, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from spirits at age 50+, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from white wine at age 50+, per wk
alcoholic units from wine at age 18-24, per wk
alcoholic units from wine at age 25-49, per wk
alcoholic units from wine at age 50+, per wk
Mean days per week of night shift during episode
Duration of night shift during episode (years)
Mean hours per day of night shift during episode
Mean hours per week of night shift during episode
Year started episode of night shift work
R2 Moderate and light physical activity in active jobs at home (e.g. gardening, decorating, washing car, etc.) (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity at home (MET hours/week)
All moderate and light physical activity doing active housework and manual labour (MET hours/week)
All moderate and light physical activity household work (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity cycling (including to and from work and for pleasure) (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity cycling (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity dancing (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity doing active housework (e.g. hoovering, scrubbing floors, bed making, hanging out washing, etc) (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity doing active housework (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity in non-paid manual labour (e.g. gardening, decorating, washing car, etc.) (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity In non-paid manual labour (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity walking (including walking to and from work, walking to the shops, walking for pleasure, etc) (MET hours/week)
Moderate and light physical activity walking (MET hours/week)
Moderate or light exercise at work (MET hours/week)
All recreational physical activity (MET hours/week)
Strenous other activities that get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (MET hours/week)
Other strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
Sport or training sufficient to get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (e.g. netball, jogging, exercise class, tennis, football, swimming) (MET hours/week)
Sports strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
Activities at work that get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (e.g. lifting, climbing ladders, building work) (MET hours/week)
Work strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
Total physical activity (MET hours/week)
All work related physical activity (MET hours/week)
R2 All moderate and light physical activity doing active household work (MET hours/week)
R2 All moderate and light physical activity household work (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity cycling (including to and from work and for pleasure) (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity cycling (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity doing active jobs at home (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity home jobs (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity doing active housework (e.g. hoovering, bed making, hanging out washing, etc) (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity doing active housework (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity other (e.g. non-strenuous recreations) (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity at other (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity walking (including walking to and from work, walking to the shops, walking for pleasure, etc) (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity walking (MET hours/week)
R2 Moderate and light physical activity at work (MET hours/week)
R2 All recreational physical activity (MET hours/week)
R2 Strenous other activities that get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (MET hours/week)
R2 Other strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
R2 Sport or training sufficient to get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (e.g. jogging, exercise machine, tennis, swimming) (MET hours/week)
R2 Sports strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
R2 Activities at work that get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (e.g. lifting, climbing ladders, building work) (MET hours/week)
R2 Work strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
R2 Total physical activity (MET hours/week)
R2 All work related physical activity (MET hours/week)
R4 Moderate and light physical activity cycling (including to and from work and for pleasure) (MET hours/week)
R4 Moderate and light physical activity cycling (MET hours/week)
R4 Moderate and light physical activity walking (including walking to and from work, walking to the shops, walking for pleasure, etc) (MET hours/week)
R4 Moderate and light physical activity walking (MET hours/week)
R4 Strenous other activities that get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (MET hours/week)
R4 Other strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
R4 Sport or training sufficient to get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (e.g. jogging, exercise machine, tennis, swimming) (MET hours/week)
R4 Sports strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
R4 Activities at work that get you out of breath and make you sweat considerably (e.g. lifting, climbing ladders, building work) (MET hours/week)
R4 Work strenous physical activity (MET hours/week)
maximum hours per week reported across all jobs
maximum total hours per job reported across all jobs
total hrs worked over all reported years of all jobs
total hrs worked over all reported years of all jobs (irreg)
reported duration of nightwork (yrs) not limited to previous 10yrs
reported duration of nightwork, years (irreg)
R2: frequency of cereal intake in past months
R2: frequency of cooked veg intake in past months
R2: frequency of dried fruit intake in past months
R2: frequency of fresh fruit intake in past months
R2: frequency of grapefruit intake in past months
R2: frequency of grapefruit juice intake in past months
R2: frequency of oily fish intake in past months
R2: frequency of salad and vegetable intake in past months
R2: frequency of salmon intake in past months
R2: frequency of tuna intake in past months
number of days eating dairy in past week
type of oil used for frying grilling roasting
Most often uses sunflower oil for frying
Most often uses vegetable fat for frying
Most often uses vegetable oil for frying
R2 Physical activity at work in past 12 months
childhood exercise outside school hours, days/wk
childhood exercise outside school hours, hrs/wk
total current strenuous exercise, hrs/day
total current strenuous exercise, hrs/wk
light+strenuous exercise at age 18, hrs/wk
light+strenuous exercise at age 30, hrs/wk
light+strenuous exercise at age 50, hrs/wk
First age used any of the deodorant products
Age last used any of the deodorant products
Number of deodorant episodes reported with an error from age
Number of deodorant episodes reported with an unknown from age
Known age last used any of the deodorant products for those with deoLage>=999
Total years of deodorant use, all episodes summed
Never, former or current user of any of the deodorant products
Number of deodorant episodes reported with an error to age
Number of deodorant episodes reported with an unknown to age
stress in last 5 yrs: death of husband/partner
stress in last 5 yrs: personal illness/injury
stress in last 5 yrs: death of child/parent/relative
stress in last 5 yrs: divorce/separation
stress in last 5 yrs: other stressful life event
stress in last 5 yrs: death of close friend
indicator for non peak sleep. (bed <=2am, wake>=1am)
Minutes past the hour usually goes to sleep
calculated total hours sleep from sleeptime and sleepwake
Number of times/night wakes and puts lights on/goes into bright room at age 20
Number of times/night wakes and puts lights on/goes into bright room, NOW
Reported number of full brothers, at entry, at entry
Reported number of children, gender unknown, at entry
Reported number of half brothers, at entry
Reported number of half-sisters, at entry
Reported number of siblings, gender unknown, at entry
Reported number of full sisters, at entry
breast cancer reported in first-degree relatives, at entry
Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer, at entry
Number of first-degree relatives with breast cancer, at entry
Number of brothers with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in full brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in full brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in child, at entry
Number of children nk gender with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in child of unknow gender, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in child of unknown gender, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in father, at entry
First date of breast cancer in father, at entry
Number of daughters with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in daughter, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in daughter, at entry
Number of half brothers with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in half brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in half brother, at entry
Number ofhalf sisters with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in half sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in half sister, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in mother, at entry
First date of breast cancer in mother, at entry
first diagnosis date date of breast cancer in full sibling, at entry
Number of sibs nk gender with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
Number of sisters with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in full sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in full sister, at entry
Number of sons with breast cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of breast cancer in son, at entry
first diagnosis date of breast cancer in son, at entry, at entry
Cancer reported in first-degree relatives, at entry
Number of first-degree relatives with cancer, at entry
Number of brothers with cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in full brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in full brother, at entry
Number of children with cancer, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in child, at entry
Number of children nk gender with cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in child of unknow gender, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in child of unknown gender, at entry
First date of diagnosis of cancer in father, at entry
Number of daughters with cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in daughter, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in daughter, at entry
Number of half brothers with cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in half brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in half brother, at entry
Number of half sisters with cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in half sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in half sister, at entry
First date of diagnosis of cancer in mother, at entry
Number of sibs nk gender with cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
Diagnosis of cancer in full sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in full sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of cancer in son, at entry
Colorectal cancer reported in first-degree relatives, at entry
Having a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer, at entry
Number of first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer, at entry
Number of brothers with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in full brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in full brother, at entry
Number of children with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in child, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in child, at entry
Number of children nk gender with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in child of unknow gender, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in child of unknown gender, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in father, at entry
First diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in father, at entry
Number of daughters with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in daughter, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in daughter, at entry
Number of half-brothers with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in half brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in half brother, at entry
Number of half-sisters with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in half sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in half sister, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in mother, at entry
First diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in mother, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in full sibling, at entry
Number of sibs nk gender with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
Number of sisters with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in full sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in full sister, at entry
Number of sons with colorectal cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer in son, at entry
first diagnosis date of colorectal cancer in son, at entry
Date of death of mother, at entry, at entry
brovarian cancer reported in first-degree relatives, at entry
Number of first-degree relatives with ovarian cancer, at entry
Number of children nk gender with ovarian cancer (error!), at entry
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in child of unknown gender (error!), at entry
Number of daughters with ovarian cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in daughter, at entry
first diagnosis date of ovarian cancer in daughter, at entry
Number of half-sisters with ovarian cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in half sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of ovarian cancer in half sister, at entry
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in mother, at entry
First diagnosis date of ovarian cancer in mother, at entry
Number of sibs nk gender with ovarian cancer (error!), at entry
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in sib of unknown gender (error!), at entry
first diagnosis date of ovarian cancer in sib of unknown gender, at entry
Number of sisters with ovarian cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer in full sister, at entry
first diagnosis date of ovarian cancer in full sister, at entry
prostate cancer reported in first-degree relatives, at entry
Number of first-degree relatives with prostate cancer, at entry
Number of brothers with prostate cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in full brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of prostate cancer in full brother, at entry
Number of children nk gender with prostate cancer (error!), at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in child of unknown gender (error!), at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in dad, at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in father, at entry
First date of prostate cancer in father, at entry
Number of half-brothers with prostate cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in half brother, at entry
first diagnosis date of prostate cancer in half brother, at entry
Number of sibs nk gender with prostate cancer (error!), at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in sib of unknown gender (error!), at entry
Number of sons with prostate cancer, at entry
Diagnosis of prostate cancer in son, at entry
first diagnosis date of prostate cancer in son, at entry
socio-demographic and economic characteristics
medical or physical abnormalities when born
birth order, from reported number pregnancies before self
birth order, calculated from number of older sibs
nursed in incubator or special care baby unit
birthweight in grams, self report or mum
mother had complications during pregancy
mum pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, self report or mum
gestation period in weeks,self report or mum
Hip circumference at Round 2, cm (currently pregnant)
Waist circumference at Round 2, cm (currently pregnant)
Weight at R2 questionnaire (currently pregnant)
bmi at entry (wtnow&htnow) (currently pregnant)
hip circumference, cm (currently pregnant)
waist circumference, cm (currently pregnant)
Number of other types of surgery to ovaries and uterus
Have you ever been diagnosed by a doctor with endometriosis
Have you ever been diagnosed by a doctor with fibroids of the uterus
Have you ever been diagnosed by a doctor with polycystic ovaries
Breast discomfort before periods, age 20
Breast discomfort before periods, age 40
Breast discomfort before periods, at entry
Average number of days of flow, at entry
age at cycles becoming regular naturally
Estimated menopausal group, age 50 rule, at baseline
Estimated date became postmenopausal, age 50 rule
Date first known or assumed postmenopausal,age 55 rule
Date last known or assumed premenopausal, age 46 rule
had hormones to stop milk flow yes/no following first pregnancy
Weight at start of first pregnancy, only stones reported, not lbs
age at first pregnancy with breast feeding
age at last pregnancy with breast feeding
number of pregnancies with breast feeding
total number of weeks breastfed (all children)
ever had hormones to stop milk flow yes/no following any pregnancy
number of pregnancies with hormones to stop milk flow
Total reportedweeks of pregnancy, regardless of outcome
age at first pregnancy with preeclampsia
number of pregnancies with pre-eclampsia
Ever had pregnancy with triplets or higher order
birthweight in grams of first live birth
birthweight in grams of tenth live birth
birthweight in grams of eleventh live birth
birthweight in grams of second live birth
birthweight in grams of third live birth
birthweight in grams of fourth live birth
birthweight in grams of fifth live birth
birthweight in grams of sixth live birth
birthweight in grams of seventh live birth
birthweight in grams of eighth live birth
birthweight in grams of ninth live birth
gestation in weeks of eleventh live birth
gestation in weeks of seventh live birth
had hormones to stop milk flow yes/no following last
average interval between parous births, days
interval first and last parous birth, days
number of pregnancies with outcome not known
number of pregnancies unknown whether parous (missing outcome and gestational length)
number of pregnancies unknown whether parous (missing outcome and gestational le
Ever parous (>0 live/stillbirth, 26+ wks)
number of pregnancies unknown whether fullterm (37+wks)
HRT preparation (most) used during current or last continuous period of use (not truncated to age_t)
HRT preparation (most) used during current or last continuous period of use (not
Number of other hormone episodes reported
Number of hormonal contraception episodes reported
Minimum years of hormonal contraception use
OC preparation (most) used during current or last continuous period of use (not truncated to age_t)
OC preparation (most) used during current or last continuous period of use (not
Had radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer 1
Had surgery treatment for breast cancer 1
number of diagnoses of benign breast disease
first known age of diagnosis of benign breast disease
age of 1st diagnosis of benign breast disease
Age at first abnormal mammogram, as at baseline
Had mammogram in last 3 years, as at baseline
Most recent age at mammogram as at baseline
Was most recent mammogram for screening, as at baseline
Most recent year at mammogram as at baseline
Number of times had mammogram, as at baseline
Had eating disorder, lost weight, BMI<17.5
Age at onset of eating disorder if lost weight etc (see eatingdislowbmi definition)
Age at onset of eating disorder if lost weight etc (see eatingdislowbmi definiti
Weight after gain due to eating disorder
Weight after loss due to eating disorder
Had an eating disorder, lost weight subdivided into further groups
Age first lost periods due to eating disorder
Whether weight changed due to eating disorder, gained weight, lost weight, stayed same
Whether weight changed due to eating disorder, gained weight, lost weight, staye
Have you taken aspirin (products) in the last 7 days
Number of days taken aspirin in the last 7 days
Total length of known regular aspirin use
years since stopped using aspirin regularly
First known age regularly used ibuprofen
Have you taken ibuprofen (products) in the last 7 days
Number of days taken ibuprofen in the last 7 days
Total length of known regular ibuprofen use
current status for regular ibuprofen use
years since stopped using ibuprofen regularly
First known age regularly used painkillers
Last known age of regular painkillers use
Have you taken painkillers (products) in the last 7 days
Number of days taken painkillers in the last 7 days
Total length of known regular painkillers use
current status for regular painkillers use
years since stopped using painkillers regularly
Multivitamin supplement in the last 7 days
Other vitamin supplement in the last 7 days
Total number of years of vitamin D supplement use
Any vitamin supplement in the last 7 days
Youngest age at onset of eating disorder
Registered as blind or partially sighted
Previous diagnosis of thyroid disease/problems
current cigarettes smoked per day, at R1
current cigarettes smoked per day, assessed at R1
ever temporarily stop smoking and restart, at R1
current cigarettes smoked per day, at R2
current cigarettes smoked per day, at R4
age started smoking ecigarettes or vape, at R4
age stopped smoking ecigarettes or vape, at R4
cumulative number of cigarettes smoked between ages 16 and 24
cumulative number of cigarettes smoked between ages 25 and 49
cumulative number of cigarettes smoked aged 50 plus
cumulative cigarettes smoked up to age 55
current cigarette smoking status, at age 55
age started smoking, updated to latest questionnaire round
age stopped smoking, updated to latest questionnaire round
Age at which exposure is evaluated up to
Age at menopause, including assumed (R1-R4)
Menopause (R1-R4) assumption as at meno_last_qage
First age at questionnaire reported postmenopausal
Last age at questionnaire reported premenopausal
having hot flushes before/around menopause, from earliest postmenopausal round
having hot flushes before/around menopause
years periods were irregular before menopause, from earliest postmenopausal round
years periods were irregular before menopause
Period regularity before menopause, from earliest postmenopausal round