Serena Williams has never hesitated to raise her voice for important causes. After a terrifying post-childbirth “death scare” in 2017 due to blood clots and complications, she became a passionate advocate for maternal health worldwide. In 2018, she boldly released a music video singing ‘I Touch Myself’ by the Divinyls. Reflecting on this, she said, “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.” Seven years on, Serena’s commitment remains unwavering.
According to the WHO, breast cancer starts when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. These usually begin in the milk ducts or lobules. Early-stage cancer (in situ) isn’t life-threatening and can be caught early. But if cancer cells invade nearby tissue, they form lumps or thickening—and then can spread to lymph nodes or other organs, which can be fatal. The good news? Early detection can stop this via a physical exam by a doctor or yourself. Serena urges women to take charge.
You can get checked by a medical practitioner or through self-examination. Williams tweeted a simple reminder on her X on May 22, writing, “It’s not breast cancer awareness month but don’t forget to get your mammogram. I’m getting mine today.” She wants to help others avoid a fate that is all too common. In 2024, an estimated 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women, and approximately 42,250 women died from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
It’s not breast cancer awareness month but don’t forget to get your mammogram. I’m getting mine today.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 22, 2025
According to BreastCancer.org, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S., making up about 32% of all new female cancer cases. In 2025, approximately 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, along with 59,080 cases of non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). About 16% of cases occur in women under 50, and 66% are detected at a localized stage when treatment works best.
In tennis, many have raised their voice for this fight. The legendary Czech-born player Martina Navratilova, one of the best female players ever, announced in 2010 that she had breast cancer after a routine mammogram. She called the diagnosis a personal shock, having always been healthy.
After a lumpectomy and radiation, she urged women to prioritize regular mammograms. Six months later, she announced she was cancer-free. Reflecting on her experience, Navratilova stressed the importance of health and joined a 2019 charity event to raise breast cancer awareness, saying, “The cause was so worthwhile I had to go for it.”
When Serena Williams took her first step in 2018 with the ‘I Touch Myself’ project, it honored Divinyls lead singer Chrissy Amphlett, who died of breast cancer at 53. The project began with Amphlett’s family after her death. Since then, Serena has never stopped. She turned this into a lifelong mission through her Serena Williams Foundation.
Williams in her fight to help people around the world
She founded the Serena Williams Foundation in 2008 to give underprivileged kids—especially girls—a fair shot at education. Driven by her own experiences and passion for justice, the foundation focuses on education and helping communities hit by violence. It’s made a real impact, like funding the Serena Williams Secondary School in Kenya in 2008 and offering college scholarships in the U.S. Serena also helped raise funds for Haiti earthquake victims in 2010, showing her foundation’s wide reach.
In 2014, Serena launched Serena Ventures, investing heavily in women and underrepresented founders. Over half the companies she backs are women-led, and 76% have founders from underrepresented groups. Serena, who fought hard for equal pay in tennis, keeps pushing the message that women can be “the future leaders” of society.
Even after a tough Grand Slam final loss in 2019, Serena stayed strong in her advocacy. When a reporter mentioned Billie Jean King’s advice to focus on tennis, she said, “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.” She retired in 2022 but never stopped fighting for fairness.
For Serena, women’s empowerment means lifting each other up. 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.” After decades of tennis glory, Serena’s recent posts show her passion for change is as fierce as ever.
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