1. A method for displaying the change in size of an identified pattern over time comprising: identifying patterns on medical images stored in a medical imaging database and determining the size of said patterns using a computer aided detection system, each of said medical images having a medical exam date associated with the image; providing a user interface on a computer workstation, the interface having access to the medical images stored in the medical imaging database via a network; displaying at least one of the medical images to a user via the user interface, the displayed medical image belonging to a patient historical exam category and having at least one identified image pattern; compiling the size of the identified image pattern and the medical exam date associated with the medical image for each of the medical images stored in the medical imaging database belonging to the patient historical exam category; generating a graphic showing the sizes of the identified image pattern and the medical exam dates associated with the medical image for all of the medical images belonging to the patient historical exam category.