[Breast cancer: risk factors and early detection]

The objective was to identify risk factors, according to INCA, for breast cancer, analyzing knowledge and BSE practice, mammography and ECM, and verify the relationship between age and education with knowledge and conducting such examinations. Data were collected during ten months, through interviews with women in chemotherapy against breast cancer, and analyzed by simple statistics. There was agreement with the minority of risk factors. All examinations were known and practiced by most, except mammography performed in half. The older ones mainly practiced BSE and mammography, and the younger ECM. There was a directly proportional relationship between knowledge and education of these exams. Health professionals need to guide the public about breast cancer, to allow more resolute and less mutilating treatments.