Seven women who underwent breast cancer screening at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise and who were given the all-clear have now been told, following a review of their cases, that they have breast cancer.
The Health Service Executive, which runs the hospital, yesterday apologised to the women for the delay in their diagnosis.
It is not yet clear for how long diagnosis was delayed in each case. The HSE said this information would be released later.
The women's scans were among thousands reviewed by St Vincent's hospital, Dublin, in conjunction with BreastCheck, following the decision to send a consultant radiologist on administrative leave at the end of August after concerns were raised about the doctor's reading of mammograms.
The HSE said at that time that 3,000 mammograms and 2,500 ultrasounds on breast cancer patients who attended the Portlaoise hospital since November 2003 would be reviewed.
It said yesterday 2,900 mammograms had been reviewed to date and confirmed that as of now 45 women had been called back for further investigation and of these seven had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The seven have been contacted.
"To date seven of the group recalled have been identified as having a diagnosis of breast cancer. All have been contacted and offered appropriate treatment and counselling," the HSE said in a statement.
"The review phase will be completed within a week and a full report will be published and made available by the end of November. The HSE will of course be in contact with any remaining women who need to be recalled," the statement added.
The HSE has set up a helpline at the hospital for people who may need further information. The number is 1800 252 041.
The revelation comes within months of the disclosure that there were also serious delays in the diagnosis of two other women in the State with breast cancer.
It emerged in May that the diagnosis of Rebecca O'Malley, a mother of three from Co Tipperary, was delayed for 14 months after an error was made in the laboratory at Cork University Hospital. An investigation into her misdiagnosis by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is due to be published shortly.
And in August it emerged that the diagnosis of anotherwoman was delayed by 18 months due to pathology test errors at the laboratory of Galway's University College Hospital. The HIQA is also investigating this case.
Meanwhile breast cancer services remain suspended at Barrington's private hospital in Limerick pending the outcome of a review of the care given to all patients who attended the symptomatic breast disease service there between September 2003 and August 2007. Last night Minister for HealthMary Harney expressed deep concern at the events in Portlaoise. "These events are very traumatic for the women involved and for their families and I wish to express my sincere sympathy for the considerable distress and hurt caused," she said.