Norwegian Women and Cancer Study (NOWAC)
The NOWAC was established in 1991 to explore the factors that influence women's health, cancer development and survival. Between 1991 and 2007, over 172,000 women aged 30 to 70 years were recruited and participated in a baseline assessment. Data are collected from participants at around five year intervals, with the last and fourth questionnaire follow-up carried out in 2017. The study plans to conduct a new wave of data collection. Additionally, a sub-sample of 50,000 of participants donated blood samples between 2003 and 2006, and completed a questionnaire. Participants are also passively followed up via linkage to external data with annual updates.
Study design
Cohort, Biobank
Number of participants at first data collection
172,472 (participants)
Age at first data collection
30 - 70 years (participants)
Participant year of birth
Varied (participants)
Participant sex
Female
Representative sample at baseline?
The Norwegian female population.
Sample features
Country
Year of first data collection
1991
Primary Institutions
University of Tromsø (Universitetet i Tromsø)
Links
Profile paper DOI
Funders
European Union (EU)
Norwegian Cancer Society (Kreftforeningen, NCS)
Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation
Norwegian Research Council (Norges forskningsråd)
Ongoing?
Yes
Data types collected
- Activity log (e.g. food, sleep, exercise)
- Interview – phone
- Physical or biological assessment (e.g. blood, saliva, gait, grip strength, anthropometry)
- Secondary data
- Self-report questionnaire – paper or computer assisted
- None
- None
- Healthcare data
- Mortality data
Engagement
Keywords
