Two women have been diagnosed with breast cancer after being wrongly given the all-clear.
The women were among more than 5000 whose mammograms were re-read after a mix-up last year that led to a belief their images may not have been reviewed by two separate radiologists.The re-reading process led to 5336 women being given the all-clear, two were found to have breast cancer, while one result will be unknown for six months because of unrelated medical reasons.
BreastScreen Victoria chief executive Vicki Pridmore said it was unfortunate that the initial diagnosis proved incorrect.
"We deeply regret having to inform these two women, who had previously been given the all clear, their screens were in fact not clear, with further investigation showing they have breast cancer," she said.
"It would have been a shock for women that had been given an all-clear, a shock for them and their families. I have spoken with one directly and the other woman I am speaking to in the coming week. Their absolute focus is now their treatment and their health.
"Clearly, obviously, I would have preferred that these cancers had been found three months ago, but I am very grateful that we have found them now and not at the routine re-screening point which would have been in another two years."
Ms Pridmore said the re-read of the mammograms had resulted in the early detection of cancers and highlighted the importance of breast screening as a preventative health measure.
The re-reading took place in November and December last year.
Ms Pridmore said a range of safeguards have been put in place to prevent something similar happening in the future.
"I am absolutely 100 per cent confident that that has been fixed," she said.
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