The present invention provides a method for selecting mass density candidates from digital image, for example mammograms, for computer-aided lesion detection, review and diagnosis. A method of selecting mass density candidates from a digital image for computer-aided cancer detection, review and diagnosis includes down-sampling the digital image to a low resolution; smoothing an edge along a skinline; applying a Gaussian difference filter to enhance intensity to form a filtered image; masking the filtered image using a breast mask; using a Canny detector to find potential mass density contours; and generating a mass density candidate list from Canny contours produced in the Canny detector.