[Breast self-examination by nursing professionals].

Most breast tumors are detected by women, not health professionals, therefore breast self-examination (BSE) continues to be an efficacious strategy. The study objective was to analyze BSE performed by nursing professionals and factors that hinder their perseverance in this practice. This descriptive study was performed with 159 professionals: 40 nurses, 48 nurses aides, and 71 health agents from 19 Basic Health Units located in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil).