This is a descriptive study developed in the outpatient unit of a university maternity hospital in the city of Natal/RN. It aimed at identifying the knowledge about and alterations found during breast self-examination as well as at describing how women examine themselves. The population was formed by patients sent by other health services and the sample consisted of 109 women with age varying from 15 to 83 years. In order to collect data, the authors used a form containing identification information as well as about breast self-examination. Based on the collected data, they identified that among the 109 participants, the age of 36 (33%) of them varied from 15 to 39 years; of 58 (53%) of them from 40 to 58 years and of 15 (14%) of them from 60 to 83 years. 75% reported that they examined themselves and that they attended a health care service for correct treatment in case any alterations were detected during self-examination.