Choosing Life Over Complacency: An Act of Love and Respect
Lilian Musyawa Kikuvi gazes over the serene bayside views
I reflect on an article I wrote for Jean Hailes (link below), especially the quote: "The scars and annual breast examinations remind me that complacency can be dangerous. This journey feels like uncharted territory with each step, shaking off any remnants of complacency." These words capture the profound lessons I’ve learned since my 2023 breast cancer diagnosis. Here are three reasons I’ve discovered that often lead to complacency—a shared human experience that can come at a high cost:
Familiarity: Routine can make us overlook potential risks.
Comfort: Avoiding discomfort can lead us to overlook things we’d rather not face.
Denial: We convince ourselves that something “won’t happen to us.”
Since my diagnosis and mastectomy of my right breast, followed by reconstructive surgeries —and even now, knowing I’m cancer-free—it’s easy to slip into complacency. But I’m acutely aware of the stakes: the trauma of more surgery, the risk of losing the work I love, the financial impacts, the burden on my loved ones, and the ultimate uncertainty of life and death.
This is why I choose to prioritise my breast health, and I encourage you and your loved ones to do the same. For me, it’s no longer about fear; prioritising my breast health is an act of love and respect:
For myself: I commit to regular self-exams, schedule annual screenings, and take hormone therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
For my loved ones: This spares them the worry of my well-being and the potential burden of caregiving. Neglecting my breast health is simply not an option.
For my mission: I am dedicated to addressing systemic forces that lead to disparities, collaborating to create sustainable change.
Prioritising my breast health is a daily act of honouring the life I’ve been given, cherishing those who support me, and fuelling the work I’m dedicated to—going upstream to prevent harm and foster lasting change in workplace culture and healthcare by embracing diversity, advancing equity, and fostering inclusion.
What can you do today to prioritise your health?
Who stands to benefit from your act of love and respect?
Link to Jean Hailes article - 'I'm grateful for my breast cancer journey'