An image processing apparatus and method capable of automatically performing the blackening processing of a blank area and/or a scattering area even in a mammograph obtained by radiation imaging. The image processing apparatus includes: a profile data calculating unit for receiving image data obtained by imaging an object to calculate pieces of profile data corresponding to change of brightness among a plurality of pixels; a binarizing unit for binarizing each of the piece of profile data obtained by the profile data calculating unit; a convex closure processing portion for performing convex closure processing on the pieces of profile data binarized by the binarizing unit to extract an outermost profile; and blackening processing means for performing blackening processing the received image data to reduce brightness of pixels in an area out of the outermost profile extracted by the convex closure processing portion.