Bank that aims to boost our health

Hundreds of Oldham people are being invited to take part in a massive research project which could help their children and grandchildren to enjoy better health.

They will join 500,000 people across the country needed to create the UK Biobank, a resource which will be used by scientists for generations to come.

Janice Barker volunteered to take part.

THE UK Biobank is a new charity set up by the Department of Health, Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

The research is intended to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses such as cancer, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, dementia, joint problems and many other serious conditions, as well as promote good health.

And all it takes to be a part of this massive study is 90 minutes of your time, and the donation of blood and urine samples.

People aged 40 to 69 have been invited to sign up after being identified from NHS records. People in both good and poor health, and those with a disability, can take part.

Any participation is entirely voluntary, and apart from a cup of coffee and travelling expenses, there is no reward.

The Biobank assessments have been taking place in towns and cities across the country, and now it is the turn of people in the north of Greater Manchester to visit the latest location in Bury.

Andrew Trehearne, spokesman for the UK Biobank, said: “People aged 40 to 69 in a 20-mile radius of Bury, including Oldham, have been contacted.

“This is the start of a 30-year project. People coming to the assessment centre have measurements taken and are asked questions about their current health and lifestyle.

“We are trying to find out why some people get particular diseases such as cancer, or hypertension, and others don’t.

“We will eventually have 500,000 people in the biggest, most detailed, study of its kind.

“It is a massive undertaking and it will take three or four years to collect the data from half a million people.

“We are looking at the link between genes, lifestyle and the part chance plays.

“We are unlocking the secrets of what causes diseases.”

The assessment took about 90 minutes and involved a series of questions answered on a touch screen computer about lifestyle, past health issues and family history.

Height, weight, body mass index, lung function, bone density and grip are also measured, before blood and urine samples are taken.

Then the samples are stored at the UK Biobank in Stockport, at temperatures as low as minus 180C, ready for researchers to use over the coming decades.

Results will be put back into the Biobank database so that they are there for all other approved researchers to see and the results will also have to be published at www.ukbiobank.ac.uk.

Although the samples will be anonymous, the UK Biobank will follow the health of everyone who takes part through their medical records, which can only be accessed with written consent from participants.

And in future some participants may be contacted by the Biobank to answer more questions, although that is optional.

In Bury, more than 100 people a day are volunteering to help.

Andrew Trehearne said: “We know there are concerns about computer data going missing, but this information goes directly to UK Biobank via a secure network for storage, and will stay there for the rest of its life.

“It is amazing how many people are prepared to take part and how far they are prepared to travel. One gent spent two hours on a bus to get here.”

And, he pointed out that, like giving blood for transfusions, the donations will not help directly those who take part.

He added: “Individuals will not immediately benefit. It is an act of altruism. Over the next 30 years it will be helping the understanding of the health of future generations. In the fullness of time we hope all people will benefit.”