Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin is carrying out a 'precautionary review' of all transcriptions of genetic test results, after it emerged a woman was incorrectly told she did not have a gene that put her at higher risk of developing cancer.

According to The Sunday Times, the woman - who does not want to be identified - was told in 2009 that she tested negative for the BRCA1 gene.

A significant percentage of women who have the gene develop breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

However, it's reported that her doctors were told last month that the woman in question had tested positive for the gene.

The woman is now being treated for an aggressive form of ovarian cancer.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the Children's Hospital Group apologised to the woman - saying it appears a "transcription error of a genetic test result occurred".

The group suggests the incident appears to be an isolated one caused by human error, adding that it "regrets the series of events" that led to the woman's current "difficult situation".

The statement explains "As a precautionary measure, a review by Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin is currently underway of all transcriptions of BRACA tests to ensure tests results were transcribed correctly and that no similar transcription error has occurred.

"We want to offer reassurance to other patients who have undergone testing that this is not a testing error and therefore there is no cause for concern or distress."

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In a statement, a spokeswoman for Health Minister Simon Harris said: "The Department of Health was notified by the HSE of this case on Friday evening.

"The Department has since briefed the Minister, who has subsequently made contact with the Children's Hospital Group, which oversees Crumlin's operations."

It adds that Minister Harris has been assured that "steps are being taken to ensure the error that occurred here is not replicated elsewhere".

Earlier, Róisín Shortall, the co-leader of the Social Democrats, said there was a need to find out how the error happened and whether any other women have been affected.

Deputy Shortall argued: "It’s vital that all women who have undergone the same test are contacted immediately and provided with clear and accurate information about where they stand.

“The Minister for Health and the HSE must move swiftly to review the test results of all women who have undergone BRCA tests at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin in the past decade, to ensure no one else is at risk.”