Patent ID: 7664604

Claim:
A computer implemented method of screening an asymptomatic patient's mammogram to detect abnormalities in the asymptomatic patient's mammogram, wherein screening the asymptomatic patient's mammogram to detect abnormalities is performed prior to classifying the detected abnormalities as being malignant or benign, the method of screening comprising: obtaining an asymptomatic patient's mammogram, the mammogram generated by a mammography machine; calculating a detection risk probability value associated with an asymptomatic patient, the detection risk probability value calculated from an array of risk factors associated with breast cancer; selecting a computer algorithm to detect abnormalities in the asymptomatic patient's mammogram; identifying a standard threshold of the computer algorithm for detecting false positive abnormalities, wherein the standard threshold is independent of the array of risk factors associated with the asymptomatic patient; adjusting the standard threshold of the computer algorithm for detecting false positive abnormalities in response to the detection risk probability value associated with the asymptomatic patient; detecting abnormalities in the asymptomatic patient's mammogram by applying the computer algorithm using the adjusted standard; and producing an electronic output image of the asymptomatic patient's mammogram that visualizes the detected abnormalities.