A Kingsteignton man who was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last year has teamed up with the Devon County FA and football clubs across Devon and beyond to encourage men over 50 to get tested for the condition.

Jason Yeo, 53, went for a general health check with his wife last April. Although he had no symptoms, he decided to pay extra for a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. He was stunned, when it came back positive.

Thankfully, the cancer was caught early and Jason underwent a new, less invasive treatment called high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFA) in March this year.

Initially, Jason shared the news with just a few close friends and encouraged them to get tested. He was shocked when two of his friends were denied PSA testing by their GP, despite meeting the NHS guidelines of being over 50 years of age.

Jason decided to open up about his diagnosis and treatment and launch a campaign to encourage more men to get tested.

‘We have to get more people tested. We have to raise the awareness for the need for all males of an age to be tested for prostate cancer,’ Jason said. ‘Early diagnosis is absolutely key to a positive outcome. A testing programme can reduce deaths by a huge percentage, so it’s all about pushing to get people tested, while fighting for the government to run a national screening programme.’

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, one will die every 45 minutes from the disease.

Jason began by putting posters up in local supermarkets, pubs and workplaces, but realised they were frequently overlooked.

So, starting with football sides where his son has played, he approached local clubs to ask if they would erect a pitch-side advertising board. Stoke Gabriel, Buckland Athletic and Ipplepen Athletic were the first to agree.

‘Lots of spectators at football matches are in the over 50s age bracket and lots of the club chairs and committee members will know someone who has been affected by prostate cancer,’ Jason pointed out.

The campaign quickly gathered pace within the football community and, with the help of charity Prost8, more than 70 pitch side advertising boards are now in place across England, with more clubs keen to sign up. Clubs on board are as far north as Bury and as far east as Maidstone and Tunbridge and include League 1 side Plymouth Argyle.

Last week, the Devon County FA announced that it had joined the campaign with a board at its Coach Road headquarters in Newton Abbot.

‘We hope we can highlight Jason and Prost8’s cause through the power of football and spread important messages far beyond the football pitch,’ said Devon County FA chief executive Chris French. ‘Together we can help encourage more men to get tested.’

The cost of the boards has so far been covered by the football clubs and generous sponsors. However, Jason has launched a crowdfunder (https://www.gofundme.com/f/yeoys-psa-testing-campaign) to subsidise the costs.

He also intends to extend the campaign to other sports, such as cricket and rugby.

‘We are making a difference,’ Jason remarked, ‘but we need this campaign everywhere and I will keep going until testing is rolled out across the UK and all over-50s are tested as standard.’