Swedish researchers evaluated the association between dietary phyto-oestrogen (isoflavonoids, lignans and coumestrol) intake and risk of breast cancer and whether the oestrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) statuses of the tumour influence this relationship. In 1991–92 a prospective population-based cohort study among Swedish pre- and post-menopausal women was performed, making questionnaire data available for 45 448 women. A total of 1014 invasive breast cancers were diagnosed up to December 2004. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to estimate multivariate risk ratios, 95% CI for associations with risk of breast cancer. Intakes of lignan, isoflavonoid or coumestrol were not associated with breast cancer risk overall or before or after 50 years of age. The effects of lignans or isoflavonoids were independent of receptor status. However, intake of coumestrol was associated with decreased risk of receptor negative tumours (ER/PR) but not positive tumours. The risk of ER/PR tumours was significantly lower (50%) in women with intermediate coumestrol intake compared with those who did not consume any.