I'd rather be pale than have skin cancer
Skin cancer is not fun. Right now I have about 10 stitches in my back (I had two cancerous spots removed last week). Earlier this year I had a basal cell carcinoma removed on my shoulder and a pre-melanoma frozen off on my chest. I am only 26 years old. Skin cancer is pretty common in Florida and luckily, if caught quickly, it can be taken care of. I go every 6 months for check ups.
Growing up I was always made fun of for being pale. I of course baked in the sun and got sunburnt repeatedly. I never wore sun screen either. I never tanned though. I would always just burn (that's the Irish in me). People still comment on how pale I am. I just laugh it off...bc in my mind I'm thinking "well, at least I will have great skin and look young when I'm 40...while the rest of you will look like alligators..muahah..." , or something like that.
I have come to embrace my pale skin and I love it.