A BRAVE bagpiper recovering from cancer is using music to try and stop men dying from the disease.

Russell Young, who is the former pipe major at Inverclyde Pipes and Drums, had enjoyed good health during his life.

But three and a half years ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

During his treatment, the 74-year-old retired electrician played the bagpipes at the Greenock Tesco store and raised hundreds of pounds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Today, Russell is on the road to recovery and planning further performances to help the charity.

He said: “I decided to play the bagpipes at Tesco as I was keen to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

“It gave me a great boost, as the people of Greenock were so generous.

“I believe that by doing this I have raised more awareness.”

Russell didn’t experience any symptoms until he suffered from a urine infection and underwent a blood test.

Russell, who lives with his wife Frances, 74, in Sandringham Terrace, had to undergo more checks and also had a biopsy, which confirmed the cancer.

He was then referred to an oncologist at Inverclyde Royal and had treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.

He said: “I had radiotherapy for seven and a half weeks at the Beatson and I finished that about 10 weeks ago.

“Ardgowan Hospice were a great support, as I used their patient transport service to get up to the Beatson.

“I really enjoyed getting on the bus and meeting other people going up there — it made me realise that I wasn’t alone.”

Russell will still receive hormone treatment until March next year but says he is on the road to recovery — and on a mission to use music as a way of raising awareness of prostate cancer.

He said: “I played the pipes for years and was the pipe major at the Inverclyde Pipes and Drums, but when I started my treatment I stepped down.

“I played at the Greenock Tesco store on St Andrew’s Day last year and raised £280 and I was overwhelmed by people’s responses, so I played again at New Year and raised £588.”

Russell is urging other men to get checked if they experience symptoms such as needing the loo more often than usual or encounter difficulty starting to urinate.

He said: “I feel it’s important to encourage other men to go and get checked if they’re worried.”