SHE was misdiagnosed with breast cancer four years ago, and the mistake cost her a breast.

Now, a Malaysian court has awarded her RM7.5million ($3 million) in compensation, SinChew Daily reported.

Ms Sivarani, 54, a housewife from Ipoh, went forsurgery in 2005 to correct a problem with her stomach.

The same year, she was told by a doctor during a routine checkup that she had breast cancer and would need to have a masectomy.

Ms Sivarani, who is married, had her left breast removed in September 2005.

But during a routine check-up at the hospital a month later, another doctor found that she did not have breast cancer and that the original doctor had made a mistake.

In February last year, Ms Sivarani took legal action against the hospital.

Her lawyer told Sin Chew Daily that four defendants were named - the consultant in charge of Ms Sivarani's case, the general manager of Ipoh General Hospital, the Ministry of Health and the Malaysian government.

The requested compensation amount consistedof RM5 million in ordinary compensation and RM2.5 million in other compensation.

This article was first published in The New Paper.