Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for breast cancer for the highest quintile of each hormone and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) relative to the lowest were as follows: 2.49 (1.47–4.21), Ptrend=0.003 for oestradiol; 3.24 (1.87–5.58), Ptrend<0.001 for oestrone; 2.37 (1.39–4.04), Ptrend=0.002 for testosterone; 2.07 (1.28–3.33), Ptrend<0.001 for androstenedione; 1.74 (1.05–2.89), Ptrend<0.001 for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS); and 0.51 (0.31–0.82), Ptrend<0.001 for SHBG. The gene discussed is SHBG; the disease is breast cancer.