Breast cancer is currently the most common site of cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in women. One out of eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer during their lifetime (American Cancer Society, 2001). The ACS recommends that a woman should conduct monthly breast self-examinations (BSE) when she is 20 years of age or older. Yet, many women do not conduct a monthly BSE. Approximately 6 million women are enrolled in two and four-year institutions of higher education, making college a logical place for early cancer detection education. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship of breast cancer prevention attitudes, level of body satisfaction, family history of medical complications concerning the breast, and prior education about breast self-examination (BSE) to the performance of BSE concerning undergraduate college females. The methods for this cross-sectional study included the modification of three pre-existing instruments. A pilot study was conducted to validate the changes made to the instruments and to determine instrument reliability. The participants of the study were 356 female college students who had enrolled in HSC 160, Fundamentals of Human Health, at Ball State University during the spring semester of 2001. Data collection was conducted at a four-year midwestern college during class sessions. The data were analyzed using both univariate and bivariate statistics. Precise descriptive and inferential statistic analyses were used to 1) determine the difference between the level of performance of BSE among college females and their breast cancer prevention attitudes, 2) determine the difference between college females' body satisfaction and their level of performance of BSE, 3) determine the association between the level of performance of BSE and whether or not they have a family history of breast cancer, 4) determine the association between the performance of BSE and prior education concerning BSE. The results indicated that there was a significant association between the performance of a BSE and having prior knowledge concerning a BSE, as well as having a positive or negative breast cancer prevention attitude. No significant associations were found to exist between the performance of BSE and having a family history or medical problem concerning the breasts. In addition, no significant associations between the undergraduate college females' level of body dissatisfaction and the performance of BSE were found. Conclusions: Knowledge and attitudes toward early cancer detection can influence the performance of BSE by college female students. Suggestions for future research are discussed.