The Health Service Executive (HSE) has reviewed around 300 cancer test results after it was revealed a Co Tipperary woman had been diagnosed with breast cancer after earlier being told she did not have the illness.
Rebecca O'Malley (41) underwent a fine needle biopsy at Cork University Hospital in March 2005 to test for suspected breast cancer.
She was given the all-clear but was told 14 months later she did have breast cancer, and she had to have a mastectomy last summer as part of her treatment.
The HSE has reviewed the results of around 300 tests sent from Limerick Regional Hospital to Cork University Hospital.
Minister for Health Mary Harney said she wanted a report from both hospitals "in relation to this case as quickly as possible.
"It is very worrying for any woman to be diagnosed with breast cancer," Ms Harney said. She added that tomorrow she was publishing new standards in relation to systematic breast cancer.
In a statement issued today, the HSE apologised to Ms O'Malley. "Cork University Hospital apologises for the distress caused to Mrs Rebecca O'Malley. Since the hospital became aware of her concerns, a full review to establish the facts is under way and will be communicated to Mrs O'Malley as soon as possible.
"Limerick Regional Hospital reviewed in the region of 300 cases purely as a precaution, from a pathology point of view," the HSE added.
Cork University Hospital ceased doing diagnostic cytology for Limerick Regional Hospital in July 2005.
Breast cancer campaign Europa Donna Ireland has called for a full investigation into Ms O'Malley's case.
Spokeswoman Deirdre O'Connell said: "Women needed to be reassured independently that there could never be a repeat of this fiasco.
"This will require investment in some centres and we hope that the imminent publication of guidelines for breast cancer services will ensure that this can never happen again."
Tipperary Senator Kathleen O'Meara has called for an independent inquiry over the test result. "We just don't know how many other women were erroneously given the all-clear. The HSE simply must get to the bottom of this. It's a matter of life and death," she said.
The HSE has advised any woman with concerns to contact the breast cancer clinic at the Midwestern Regional Hospital in Limerick. The helpline number at Cork University Hospital is 1800-742800.