It nearly cost him his life.

After a few sessions in the tanning booth, Mr Allen, 33, noticed a mole on his left ankle began to bleed and became itchy. He went to a doctor who removed the spot in January but in March Mr Allen was diagnosed with melanoma cancer two months before his big day.

The truckdriver appeared on the TV series RPA where he was filmed during surgery and chemotherapy.

Now, Mr Allen said he wanted to warn the Campbelltown community about the dangers of solariums.

``I just want to tell people to get their moles checked at least once a year, especially coming into the warmer weather and to wear sunblock,'' he said.

``I had to wait a week for my CT scans to see if the cancer had spread to my liver and lungs and it was the worst week of my life. I walked around the duck pond hoping and praying the results would come out clear.''

Melanoma starts from melanocytes, the cells that cause skin pigments. If untreated it can spread to the lower layer of skin, where cancer cells escape and then spread to organs or lymph vessels.

Mr Allen's cancer did not spread to his other organs but he said he still needed to visit the doctor every three months.

``The doctors said I had a 65per cent of it coming back, so I've changed my whole diet around so that my immune system stays strong.

``I drink carrot juice and I eat a lot more fruit and vegies now. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.''

Details: Cancer Council Helpline, 131120 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).