Increasing applications of large diameter and long-span cables as key structural components in cable-supported structures are becoming evident. However, these cables accumulate damage over time during their life cycle and such damage needs to be detected to avoid the detrimental influences on the serviceability and ultimate capacity of the structure. In this context, vibration-based damage detection (VBDD) methods have been used in some structures. Cable structures however exhibit complex vibration patterns, namely with vertical, lateral, torsional and coupled modes which complicate the VBDD procedure. To address this matter, this paper proposes a new approach for detecting and locating damage in cables using component-specific damage indices (DIs) based on the modal flexibility method considering the modal mass participation. Application of this new procedure is illustrated through two case studies: (a) a suspended cable and (b) a three dimensional (3D) suspension bridge structure. Results verify that the Dls based on the lateral and vertical components of mode shapes, identified through their modal mass participation factors, are effective for detecting and locating damage in the suspended cables and main cables in a suspension bridge respectively, under a range of damage scenarios. The research outcomes of this paper confirm that the modal mass participation factor is an important signature in the damage detection of a structure using VBDD techniques.