A well-known radiologist from Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital stated that it is a patient’s right to ask and see their reports before a medical procedure or a surgery. These comments came following an incident of conducting a mastectomy by mistake. This occurred after the surgeon misread a pathology report.

Dr Brigitte Ala, head of mammography at Hotel-Dieu said, "As health-care providers and physicians get busier and see more patients, the risk of error increases and therefore I think patients really need to be aware of what's going on with their care and be proactive."

This news has come as a shock to the medical fraternity. Experienced surgeon Dr Barbara Heartwell reportedly misread a pathology report that stated a lump in her patient's breast which was benign and following this she proceeded with the surgery on November 5 last year.

Laurie Johnston, the patient, had breast cancer but a biopsy of her lump came back negative.

An investigation has been launched that includes a review of past cases handled by Dr Heartwell.

The hospital reported that presently Heartwell was on a scheduled vacation and she was shocked at what happened as it never happened in her 28-year career.