CANCER cases have been detected early as a result of a local walking football project.

Players on the programme at Inverkip Hub are now a step ahead of the game when it comes to looking after their health.

The group have been raising awareness about prostate and pancreatic cancer.

This led to some members of the group going and getting checked out - and doctors detecting cancer early.

Mike Orobczuk, of the group, said: "The walking football group has been running for three years.

"We run two sessions - Mondays between noon and 1pm and Fridays between 1 and 2pm.

"Last year we decided to introduce some health information and we went to a prostate awareness talk.

"As as a result some men got checked out by their GPs and in one case the cancer was caught early."

Mike invited a representative from Pancreatic Cancer Scotland to give a talk after the action on the pitch, while the men enjoyed some coffee and cake.

He told the Tele: "It's a captive audience and you know what men are like when it comes to going to the doctor.

"It's been very useful about getting the message across about taking care of your own health."

The group has also raised £200 for the charity from a recent session.

The charity say that of all the major cancers, pancreatic has the lowest survival rates and numbers have barely changed in the last five decades.

Dionne Denovan of Pancreatic Cancer Scotland said: “Our vision is to make the 2020s the decade of change for pancreatic cancer.

"Opportunities like this at Inverkip Community Hub are invaluable for raising awareness of the risks and symptoms of pancreatic cancer and associated tumours.

"Early diagnosis is key to increasing survival rates

“Our thanks go to Mike and all at Inverkip & Largs Walking Football group for inviting us here to speak”.