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Table 1 Cases and controls included in benign breast disease pathologic specimen collectiona

From: Benign breast disease, recent alcohol consumption, and risk of breast cancer: a nested case–control study

Cases

Controls

Selection of participants

1,080

4,353

Participants initially selected

-29

-85

Participant died or withdrew from study subsequent to selection

-265

-1,090

We did not pursue collection of specimens, because:

  

   • participant denied having biopsy or had cyst aspiration only

  

   • participant could not recall hospital or hospital no longer exists

  

   • participant denied permission to seek specimens

  

   • biopsy contained cancer

-379

-1,406

We were unable to obtain requested samples

  

   • specimens were no longer available or destroyed

  

   • hospital had no record of the patient or biopsy

  

   • hospital had no record of the patient or biopsy

-33

-113

Specimens received were not usable for study

  

   • slides were not of good quality/not evaluable

  

   • specimens did not contain breast tissue

  

   • were from wrong person or incorrect date

374

1,659

Eligible participants for whom we collected usable specimens

  1. aNurses' Health Study I (1976 to 1994) and II (1989 to 1995).