"IF you notice a mole on your leg get it checked out as soon as possible because it could be cancer."
This is the advice that cancer survivor Jerri Turko gave out to shoppers in Brentwood town centre.
The 22-year-old former Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School pupil was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer, two years ago after doctors initially believed there was "nothing to worry about".
Medics later said the condition could have been caused by the use of sunbeds – despite the fact that Miss Turko only used tanning centres once a year before going away on holiday.
She joined Macmillan support workers in High Street to talk to Brentwood shoppers about both living with and living after cancer.
Recalling the day she was diagnosed, Miss Turko said: "It was a massive shock.
"I had a mole on my leg like a little freckle and it just got bigger and bigger.
"The doctors said it was nothing to worry about and I thought nothing of it until a couple of years ago it got even bigger."
The tumour was removed in an operation and Miss Turko is now on the way to making a complete recovery.
She said she is thankful for all the support she received during her illness – including from Macmillan.
She said: "I've got really good family and friends but I also had a Macmillan nurse called Lorraine – she helped me out a lot.
"I could just call her if I had any questions.
"She even came to see me in June when I had the operation – they really are there to help."
She continued: "It can be difficult to offer advice to some people because cancers and situations are all different.
"It's important to stay strong, although it's hard and it can really get you down."
Macmillan's Dave Ball said: "We've spoken to people who are living with the disease and lots of people living beyond the disease.
"It's been a really worthwhile day and it's rewarding to be able to go out and reach people."
