Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and African-American women are less likely to detect breast cancer at its early stages. Few controlled trials of interventions to increase breast self-examination (BSE) among low-income minority women have been conducted. Our objective was to test a small-group workshop intended to build BSE skills and promote BSE among low-income African-American women. received any formal BSE instruction. CONCLUSION: BSE skills building can effectively increase use of BSE among low-income African-American women who face multiple and competing health risks. The small-group experience is an important element in fostering norms for practicing BSE and enhancing BSE practices.