A method and apparatus as described facilitating the investigation of a human breast for a malignancy. The apparatus includes an optical assembly (12) which includes a camera (14) for acquiring information from a mammogram. This information is fed to a programmed computer (13) which applied preselected criteria to identify suspicious masses and calcifications depicted by the mammogram. It further includes a graphics monitor (22) for, among other things, displaying a reconstruction of the mammogram having the masses and the calcifications highlighted. The optical assembly also includes a zoom lens (18) on the camera enabling one to obtain a magnified view on the monitor via the camera of a particular region it is desired to be investigated in more detail. The method of the invention includes optically analyzing a mammogram to acquire information defining characteristics of the breast desired to be analyzed, applying preselected criteria to such information, and thereafter displaying the results.
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