
EPIC Centres
GERMANY
Background | Follow-up | Scientists | Funding | Activities |
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
http://www.epic-heidelberg.de
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
http://www.dife.de/de/forschung/projekte/epic.php
Background
In Germany, two cohorts, at the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) in Potsdam (n = 27 548) and at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg (n = 25 540) are part of the Europe-wide EPIC project. Study participants in the age range 35—65 years were randomly recruited between 1994 and 1998 from the local general populations.
Males | Females | Number of participants | Percentage of EPIC cohort | |
Heidelberg | 11 929 | 13 611 | 25 540 | 4.90% |
Potsdam | 10 904 | 16 644 | 27 548 | 5.28% |
Germany | 22 833 | 30 258 | 53 088 | 10.18% |
Follow-up
Core elements of the follow-up procedures are harmonized between both centres. From 2013 to 2016, the sixth follow-up wave was carried out in Heidelberg and Potsdam. In addition to an active follow-up by questionnaire, record linkage systems are being used to identify and ascertain incident cases of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and death. Notably, study physicians carry out a meticulous verification of incident diseases by detailed medical records in collaboration with treating physicians.
Scientists
Heidelberg

Principal Investigator
Professor Dr Rudolf KaaksDivision of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Dr Renée Fortner
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Anika Hüsing
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Dr Verena Katzke
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Dr Tilman Kühn
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Dr Theron Johnson
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Division of Cancer Epidemiology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Heidelberg, Germany
Potsdam

Principal Investigator
Professor Dr Matthias SchulzeDepartment of Molecular
Epidemiology
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
Dr M. M. Bergmann
Human Study Center
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
Human Study Center
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
Dr Krasimira Aleksandrova
Senior Scientist Group Nutrition, Immunity and Metabolism
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
Senior Scientist Group Nutrition, Immunity and Metabolism
German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE)
Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany
Funding
Heidelberg
Financial support is provided by:- German Cancer Research Centre
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Potsdam
Financial support is provided by:- German Cancer Aid
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research
- State of Brandenburg, Germany
Research Activities
Heidelberg
- Reproductive and hormonal factors and cancer risk
- Body composition, metabolic factors, and cancer risk
- Genetic and epigenetic factors and cancer risk
- Nutrition-related lifestyle factors and cardiovascular disease risk
- Absolute risk prediction models on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality.
Potsdam
- Dietary behaviour and lifestyle and risk of chronic diseases
- Food intake and food patterns
- Interaction of dietary/lifestyle factors with genetic predispositions
- Metabolic mediators of diet
- Biomarkers of chronic inflammation and immune activation and healthy aging
- Risk prediction models