Serena Williams strips naked and sings in bid to raise breast cancer awareness

Stripping naked and singing in public is most people's worst nightmare, but in a bid to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness month, Serena Williams has done just that.

The 23-times grand slam winner proved that tennis is not her only talent when she recorded a version of the Divinyls' hit I Touch Myself, to encourage women to check themselves for breast cancer.

Marking the start of the awareness month, the 37-year-old said the video had put her out of her comfort zone, but she said she hoped it would remind people that early detection can often be key to recovery.

Williams made the recording for the I Touch Myself Project, which was launched in 2014 following the death from breast cancer a year earlier at the age of 53 of Chrissy Amphlett, frontwoman of the Divinyls.

The project was created in memory of Amphlett, who was passionate about spreading awareness of the importance of early detection and wanted "I Touch Myself" to be adapted as an anthem for breast health around the world.

Williams' recording, which she tweeted out to her 10.9 million Twitter followers, was met with many replies from women explaining how the only reason they had discovered they had breast cancer was by checking themselves for lumps.

"It's how I found my cancer at the age of 37," one woman tweeted.

Another replied that it was "also how I found my cancer at age 44. If I had waited until the recommended age of 50 for a mammogram, I would probably be dead. Thank you"

While finding lumps in your breasts is the most common indicator of breast cancer, there any many other signs.

Anyone who is experiencing any of the below symptoms should make an appointment to see their GP, according to Breast Cancer Care:

  • A change in breast size or shape

  • A lump or area that feels thicker than the rest of the breast

  • A change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling (like the skin of an orange)

  • Redness or rash on the skin and/or around the nipple

  • Your nipple has become pulled in or looks different, for example changed its position or shape

  • Liquid that comes from the nipple without squeezing

  • Pain in your breast or your armpit that’s there all or almost all of the time

  • A swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone

Some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Credit: Breast Cancer Care

The charity added that while these symptoms may indicate breast cancer, they can also be caused by normal breast changes, or a benign (non-cancerous) breast condition, but it is still recommended to visit your GP.