The family of a woman who died following an 18 month delay in diagnosing her breast cancer have described how relieved she was when she told she did not have the disease.

Melissa Hamilton's family are suing her GP and the Heath Service Executive (HSE) arising from the delayed diagnosis and the loss they have suffered.

Mrs Hamilton (34) from Killgordon in Donegal passed away in September 2011, eight days after giving birth to her third daughter by emergency Caesarean section.

In the witness box yesterday, Seamus Hamilton described events from the time his wife attended her GP in late 2009, complaining of a sore right breast, to her death 20 months later from advanced breast cancer.

The court heard the disease was only diagnosed in August 2011 on her third referral to a breast care clinic at Letterkenny General Hospital - by which time she was pregnant with her third daughter.

An emergency Caesarian section was carried out and Melissa - who got to see but not touch her newborn child- died nine days later.

Liability has been admitted, but the court is being asked to assess damages.

Newstalk.com's courts correspondent Francesca Comyn told Breakfast repeat visits did not raise red flags.