Genetic algorithm for feature selection in mammograms for breast masses classification

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system for categorizing breast masses in mammogram images from the DDSM database as Benign, Malignant, or Normal. The CAD process involves Pre-processing, Segmentation, Feature Extraction, Feature Selection, and Classification. Three feature selection methods, namely the Genetic Algorithm (GA), t-test, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are used. In the classification phase, three machine learning algorithms (kNN, multiSVM, and Naive Bayes) are explored. Evaluation metrics like accuracy, AUC, precision, recall, F1-score, MCC, Dice coefficient, and Jaccard coefficient are used for performance assessment. Training and testing accuracy are assessed for the three classes. The system is evaluated using nine algorithm combinations, producing the following AUC values: GA+kNN (0.93), GA+multiSVM (0.88), GA+NB (0.91), t-test+kNN (0.91), t-test+multiSVM (0.86), t-test+NB (0.89), PSO+kNN (0.89), PSO+multiSVM (0.85), and PSO+NB (0.86). The study shows that the GA and kNN combination outperforms others.