A group of men from Portsmouth have told the BBC that walking football has helped them come to terms with a cancer diagnosis.
Nationally one in eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, but for the Portsmouth Walking Football Club that number is one in five.
The team is now hoping to raise awareness about getting checked early, as well as encouraging others to talk about the disease.
Among their ranks is former Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight, who revealed he had advanced prostate cancer in October.
“Once you get diagnosed, once the cancer word is used, it just changes everything,” he told the BBC.
“The support network, having your mates around you – family first and foremost – but then to have your mates and your team mates around you is huge.
“It gives you that lift when you can be slipping into that bit of depression.”
Fellow player David Hall, who recovered from oesophageal cancer four years ago, said: “You can only have so many cuddles – it’s nice to come out and have someone take the mickey out of you…”
CONTINUE READING at source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y0xy8418mo
Author: The Walking Football
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