Mrs Dillon's cancer was diagnosed 10 months after she went for tests

Janet Dillon, from Speldhurst near Tunbridge Wells, said she suffered a 10 month delay between diagnosis and treatment because of a filing error.

She was sent to the Kent and Sussex Hospital for tests in April 2004 but was not diagnosed until January 2005 .

The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust admitted it made a "serious mistake" and has launched an inquiry.

My test showed abnormalities but was stored on a shelf and if I had not gone back 10 months later it would still be there gathering dust Janet Dillon

Chief executive of the trust Rose Gibb reiterated her apologies to Mrs Dillon and added: "Her radiology report was misfiled which led to a delay in making the diagnosis and treatment."

The Trust has reached a settlement with Mrs Dillon and has agreed to fund private treatment for her.

Mrs Dillon said she has been left very angry by what has happened.

"My test showed abnormalities but was stored on a shelf and if I had not come back on 7 February - 10 months later - it would still be on a shelf gathering dust.

'Second opinions'

"How would any woman or any family in the country feel when they are given that news," she said.

Mrs Dillon has been told that she has a 60% chance of surviving the cancer and must undergo a mastectomy.

She expressed her concerns that often women are "fobbed off" off by doctors and urged them to push for second opinions if in doubt.

The trust said: "We would like to reassure Mrs Dillon and other local women that when we became aware of what happened we launched an investigation to review our systems.

"We have now put in place measures to ensure this will not happen again."