GENTS across the Farnham area are again urged to put down the razor and let their beards blossom this autumn as cancer charity The Prostate Project relaunches its successful OctoBeardFest Appeal.

Now in its fourth year, the beard-growing appeal has raised more than £200,000 for the University of Surrey’s vital research into prostate cancer, largely through hundreds of small donations.

This year’s activity in Farnham is spearheaded by Mumbu, a new web-based recruitment company specialising in getting mums back to work.

Nick Garnett, Mumbu’s co-founder said: “The Prostate Project’s ethos is so like ours – innovative, effective and very low cost! We are delighted to be supporting this great appeal and encourage all Farnham Herald readers to get involved. We have supplies of posters, leaflets and collecting boxes so please get in touch with us at www.mumbu.com.”

The money raised by OctoBeardFest has enabled The Prostate Project’s 24 strong cancer research team led by Professor Pandha at the University of Surrey, to take on projects that would otherwise have been impossible.

Their work includes the invention of targeted therapies for cancer that kill only cancer cells, leaving normal cells untouched, pioneering research into cancer vaccines, the use of viruses to kill cancer cells and the discovery of a biomarker in urine that could lead to a much cheaper more effective diagnostic test for prostate cancer.

Their latest study is predicting which patients will benefit from the new generation of hormonal drugs for advanced prostate cancer.

“While hormone injections such as Zoladex have been the mainstay of prostate cancer treatment for many patients for decades, exciting work in the USA led to the development of a new generation of powerful hormone-targeting drugs which have improved outcomes,” said Professor Pandha.

“The oncology group is working with Professor Tony Ng and Kings College London, to develop a blood test where it may be possible to identify potential responders and non-responders.

“The study to collect blood samples from men on enzalutamide who are responding or not responding is already ongoing and we aim to have the it completed early next year.”

The Prostate Project is a volunteer led charity with no offices or paid staff. Administration costs are below four per cent resulting in at least 96 pence of every pound going directly to the point of need.

Getting involved in OctoBeardFest is easy. Just email Mumbu at [email protected] or register direct online at www.octobeardfest.co.uk and set up a fundraising page at BT MyDonate.