Wavelet CFAR detector for mass detection in mammography
We introduce a continuous scale wavelet detector for identifying masses in mammograms. Continuous-scale wavelet algorithms have been discussed in the past, however this is the first reported algorithm that uses a scaled version of the same mother wavelet at each scale of analysis. This single mother wavelet property leads to a simpler implementation and a more direct application of detection theory to recognition problems than traditional multiscale analysis. In addition, we show that a continuous-scale search is necessary for computer aided diagnosis of mammography since traditional solutions using dyadic scales either fail to detect some masses or signal too many false alarms. Our novel wavelet detector combines a wavelet formulation with the classical theory of constant false alarm rates detectors. Finally, we show that our algorithm is able to detect masses in actual mammograms that could not be seen using conventional windowing and leveling or other traditional methods of contrast enhancement.