It’s the one time of the year besides Mardi Gras where its acceptable to lift up your top.It’s Breast Cancer Awareness at TCU, and its time to get those breasts checked out.

You are probably thinking, “I am only 20 years old, why in the world would I need to get a breast exam?”

The fact is anyone can get breast cancer. It doesn’t matter what age or gender you are.

Just ask Laura Martin Schlager, a recent TCU alumna who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“When I had to get a mastectomy when I was 19 years old, I realized that breast cancer is a very real thing and everyone should be aware of it,” Schlager said.

The American Cancer Society says studies show it is important to get your breasts checked at a younger age both as a precaution and to also establish a baseline examination against for future need.

A person’s breasts change over time, and having previous documentation helps doctors understand and identify those changes and can also possibly help them recognize a problem faster.

If you aren’t already scared enough, the American Cancer Society reports that one out of every eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

The ACS also reports that in 2006, an estimated 41,430 people – 40,970 women, 460 men – will die from breast cancer in the United States.

Those are pretty scary statistics.

But you can improve the odds.

So go to the football game this Saturday, wear your pink and support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Your life could depend on it. You owe it to yourself.

Jaquilee Killeen for the editorial board.