Survey and comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms for breast cancer diagnosis: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Breast cancer is a significant health concern worldwide, and early and accurate diagnosis plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes. Machine learning algorithms have emerged as powerful tools for analyzing complex medical data and aiding in the diagnosis of breast cancer. This paper provides an overview of the application of machine learning algorithms in breast cancer diagnosis. The findings indicate that machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machines (SVM), random forests, artificial neural networks (ANN), and deep learning models, have been extensively explored for breast cancer diagnosis. These algorithms leverage the vast amounts of available data, including patient demographics, medical history, imaging data (mammography, ultrasound, MRI), and genetic profiles, to identify patterns and make predictions. One of the primary applications of machine learning algorithms in breast cancer diagnosis is the classification of tumors as malignant or benign. By training on labeled datasets, these algorithms can learn to differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous cases, thus assisting in accurate tumor diagnosis. Additionally, machine learning algorithms can be used to predict the likelihood of cancer recurrence, which helps guide treatment decisions and post-treatment monitoring. Feature selection and extraction techniques also play a vital role in breast cancer diagnosis using machine learning algorithms. These techniques aim to identify the most relevant features or biomarkers associated with breast cancer, reducing the dimensionality of the data and enhancing the performance of the models. Feature selection algorithms, such as recursive feature elimination and correlation-based feature selection, contribute to the identification of critical indicators for accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, the integration of different data sources and modalities, such as combining clinical data with imaging data or genetic data, has shown promise in improving breast cancer diagnosis accuracy. By fusing multiple types of information, machine learning algorithms can leverage the complementary nature of these data sources to enhance diagnostic capabilities. Despite the advancements made, challenges remain in the field of breast cancer diagnosis using machine learning algorithms. Issues such as data quality, interpretability of models, and generalizability to diverse populations need to be addressed to ensure the reliable and equitable application of these algorithms in clinical practice.