Remember Serena Williams’ impactful partnership with the ‘I Touch Myself’ project in 2018 to raise breast cancer awareness? In the United States, October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time to highlight the second most common cancer among women in the country(per CDC). Now, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has returned with the same mission, underscoring the importance of regular screenings. But this time with her signature wit!

While Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to educate and support people who are battling the disease, it also aims to raise awareness about the importance of early detection in patients. And Williams’ powerful voice has helped amplify the same. On October 12, Serena Williams took to her X and wrote:

Six years ago, Williams, who faced controversy following her emotionally charged 2018 U.S. Open loss, stepped up to support October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sharing a topless video on Instagram, lip-syncing to the song ‘I Touch Myself’ by the Divinyls. Revealing her mindset behind taking this bold step, she stated, “Yes, this put me out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to do it because it’s an issue that affects all women of all colors, all around the world. Early detection is key – it saves so many lives. I just hope this helps to remind women of that.” 

Serena, who has been open about her own health challenges following the birth of her first child Olympia(a year before the project was launched), explained that the music video is created in honor of the late Chrissy Amphlett, who passed away from breast cancer in 2013. And that her hit song serves as a powerful reminder for women to prioritize their health.

For the record. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is a remarkable 99%. Early detection involves performing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. A former WTA player’s personal experience offers the most compelling illustration of this.

The legendary Czech-born tennis player, Martina Navratilova, known as one of the best female players of all time, announced in 2010 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. She described the diagnosis as a personal shock, having always been healthy.

Following a lumpectomy and radiation, she encouraged women to prioritize regular mammograms. Six months later, she announced she was cancer-free. Reflecting on her experience, Navratilova emphasized the importance of taking care of one’s health and joined a charity event in 2019 to raise breast cancer awareness, saying, “the cause was so worthwhile I had to go for it.”

Williams, who often shares her advice on motherhood, believes in taking a stand for people and support women by utilizing her own voice. And she has previously vowed to keep fighting for this cause forever!

Serena Williams’ inspiring “fight” for women!

Through her Serena Williams Foundation, she ensures that underprivileged kids, especially girls, can have fair and equal educational opportunities. Moreover, in 2014, Williams also established “Serena Ventures,” and over there, nearly 54% of women got the opportunity to be the founders of the organization. Williams, who fought for women’s equal pay in tennis, never shied away from urging everyone to see how women can also be the ‘future leader’ in society.

Even when Serena Williams was handed the most lopsided Grand Slam final defeat by Simona Halep in 2019, her aim to promote fair opportunities for all people did not waver. In a press conference when a reporter quizzed her about Billie Jean King’s advice for Williams to concentrate on tennis rather than social causes, the American made her stance clear.“The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave,” said Williams, who retired from tennis in 2022.

In a different interview, she admitted how women’s empowerment aims to encourage women to not only achieve success but also to inspire others to do the same. Further adding, she said, “The success of one woman should be an inspiration to the next. And so that means you have to support each other and be inspired by each other and nothing else.”

Throughout her decades of career in tennis, Williams has not only achieved success in the sport but has also shown her commitment to raise social awareness and support women. And her recent post further solidifies the same!