THE founder of a prostate cancer charity is determined to make the treatment which saved his life available across the UK.

After being urged by a friend, living with prostate cancer to get checked out, Paul Sayer, from Southend, found a sizeable lump on his prostate.

Paul was diagnosed with the disease in 2017 when the lump was found to be tumorous.

Thankfully, the cancer was detected early enough that it was treatable, and Paul was scheduled to have radiotherapy at Southend Hospital.

The 64-year-old explained: “I didn’t want to have the side effects of radiotherapy or surgery, which include erectile dysfunctions and incontinence.

“I did my own research for alternatives, and that’s when I found a treatment called HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound), which truly changed my life.

“A rectal probe fires ultrasound beams at the tumour and then it’s done. Recovery was so quick, I was back on the train home from the Imperial College Hospital in London that night, and could finally get on with my life.”

Paul then made it his mission to raise funds and awareness for HIFU treatment, so set up his own charity, Prost8, which is based in Maitland House, Southend.

He has set the goal of raising £10,000,000 in the next two years so that HIFU is available in each region of the UK, and has planned a black tie ball.

Paul continued: “Rob Cruikshank, who co-owns and manages Apton Hall in Rochford, made us their charity of the year - his close friend was really struggling with prostate cancer, so this has a close connection to him personally.

“We all decided that a black tie ball would be the best way to raise funds for Prost8, as well as raise awareness of what treatments are out there.

“It will be held on November 16 at Apton Hall, where we will have a Jersey Boys tribute, an auction, a five course meal, wine on the table, a welcome drink- it’s set to be a fantastic night which is really close to my heart.

“We would love all 160 seats to be filled for the evening.

“This has been an ongoing project which is now finally right around the corner, it’s so exciting.”

He added: “This year we’ve been building the charity and have really hit the ground running. We have special guest Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, attending the ball as our charity patron.

“Next year we will be launching a number of major fundraising projects- this is just the start of our legacy.”

For more information and for tickets, please visit the Prost8 charity website at https://www.prost8.org.uk/.