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Data access, sharing and collaboration

We welcome proposals for collaborative research by bona fide researchers.

The EPIC-Oxford study is publicly-funded, and its rich data collections represent over 25 years of work by participants, funders and researchers. As well as using the data ourselves, we are open to work with researchers within the scope of our study protocol to maximise its potential. In doing so, protecting confidentiality is our highest priority, and we aim always to maintain the reputation of the study, its funders and participants.

Information resources

Data for 65,000 participants, including individual information on important risk factors and health. These data are derived from two main sources: 

  • Questionnaire information provided by participants at recruitment between 1993 and 2000, and on resurvey questionnaires at 5, 10, and 15 years after recruitment. 
  • Follow-up information from NHS databases on deaths, cancer registrations and hospital admissions as participants gave permission to link to their medical records

Biomarker data from blood samples from about 20,000 men and women.

data dictionary

This data dictionary [Excel spreadsheet] contains variables on dietary and other information collected at recruitment in the EPIC-Oxford study.

Consent and confidentiality

Information is received in confidence, and we have promised study participants that their information and biological samples will be treated with absolute confidentiality and will only be used for medical research. See our postal consent form [PDF] and blood consent forms [PDF].

Our data sharing model

EPIC-Oxford is part of the EPIC-Europe collaboration. The data sharing guidance for accessing EPIC-Europe data, which includes EPIC-Oxford, can be found at the EPIC website hosted by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. EPIC-Europe data have been used widely by the international research community, in particular in global scientific consortia working on dietary, lifestyle, hormonal, genetic and other exposures in relation to the risk of a wide range of cancers and other chronic diseases. Requests to analyse EPIC-Europe data are considered by the EPIC Steering Committee, which includes two representatives from EPIC-Oxford. 

To further expand the sharing of EPIC-Oxford data for use by other bona fide researchers, the EPIC-Oxford team are currently discussing the feasibility of data sharing through the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration (UK LLC); examination of EPIC-Oxford documentation by the UK LLC commenced in 2024, and we anticipate that the process will be complete during 2025. 

 

 

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