A new study is raising concerns about possible "over-referring" of patients to breast cancer clinics.
A study published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science found most 'urgent' cases referred to a clinic in Galway were downgraded to 'routine'.
Researchers say it is not clear whether GP's have not got the proper training, or whether clinical findings could be overstated in some cases, to ensure a patient gets an early appointment.
Around 3,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women every year.