A qualitative study, with eleven nurses studying obstetric nursing in Teresina-PI, the objectives of which were to describe their knowledge and practice of measures to control breast cancer and to discuss the practice of self-examination by nurses. A focus group was used as technique. The results show death or mutilations, followed by a bad prognosis, such as significances associated with breast cancer. They mentioned control measures such as healthy habits and examinations, especially self-examination, mammography, ultrasonography, clinical, static and dynamic examination, and biopsy in the confirmation of malignancy. Among the guidelines provided to customers, self-examination, healthy food habits, physical activity and no addictions were the most important ones. It can be concluded that these professionals did not perform self-examination very often, but the majority had healthy food habits.