Tennis Legend Venus Williams Lends Voice to National Breast Cancer Prevention Campaign
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- “Beat breast cancer before it even comes for you,” says seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) for Let’s Beat Breast Cancer that is available nationwide today as Williams competes at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. It will air in dozens of AMC Theatres this fall.
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.
The campaign is a program of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit health advocacy organization of 17,000 physicians.
“I’m managing my own autoimmune disease by eating plants,” Williams says. “You can get more than enough protein from tofu, beans, and plants.”
The PSA, which also features renowned Los Angeles breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk, encourages women to reduce breast cancer risk and recurrence by adopting a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
The National Cancer Institute reports that 1 in 8 women born in the United States today will develop breast cancer, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women have a disproportionately high breast cancer death rate.
“While breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women, many women are not receiving information about the role lifestyle can play in reducing the risk,” said registered dietitian Stephanie McBurnett, a nutrition educator with the Physicians Committee. “That’s why this campaign is urgently needed.”
“Only about 5-10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited genes,” McBurnett said. “That means there is still a great deal of opportunity for lifestyle modifications to make a difference. Research shows that staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and eating a plant-based diet can lower the risk of developing breast cancer and the risk of recurrence.”
Through this partnership with Williams, the Physicians Committee hopes to reach new audiences — including sports fans following the US Open — with a clear, actionable message about prevention.
In the 30-second PSA, Dr. Funk discusses how a plant-based diet can reduce breast cancer risk and recurrence, while Williams adds that she eats plants to help manage an autoimmune disease.
“It’s clear that most women are still unaware of the lifesaving message that what they eat and drink is directly correlated to their chances of developing breast cancer,” Dr. Funk said.
In a 2025 Physicians Committee/Morning Consult survey, just 19% of women said a healthcare provider had discussed with them nutrition’s role in breast cancer risk
Williams is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, four-time Olympic gold medalist, and former world No. 1 tennis player. She also has won 14 major doubles titles with her sister, Serena Williams.
Dr. Funk is a surgical breast specialist at the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles, where she performs minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment methods for all types of breast disease. She has helped thousands of women through breast cancer treatment, including well-known celebrities, like Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow, who have turned to her for her surgical expertise.
For more information on the steps women can take to decrease their chances of developing breast cancer, visit Let’s Beat Breast Cancer.
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in education and research.
Broadcasters can download the 30 second PSA here.
Contact: Leslie Raabe, 202-527-7319, lraabe@pcrm.org
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