Objective: to describe the profile of women treated at Primary Care Unit and identify the attitudes toward early detectionof breast cancer. Methods: exploratory and descriptive research conducted with 40 women aged over 20 years, afternursing consultation. Results: it was verified that a share of participants presented risk factors for breast cancer, especiallymenarche before age 12, 57% (n=23); no breast examination during the consultation, 70% (n=28); and never have donebreast examination, 57.5% (n=23). As for performing the self-examination, 80% (n=32) of women said they knew how todo it, of which 65.5% reported performing it monthly, 12.5% never did it, and 23% of women over 40 years did not undergomammography. Conclusion: we highlight the need to develop effective educational interventions addressing the risk factorsand early detection of breast cancer in the health services.