Vicky Phelan, who found out she had terminal cancer three years after her smear test results were incorrectly found to be clear, has been awarded a High Court settlement of €2.5 million.

A US laboratory failed to detect abnormalities in her test results back in 2011, and by the time she had another smear test in 2014, she discovered she had cervical cancer. In January of this year she was given six to twelve months to live.

Vicky described the impact the case has had on her, physically and psychologically: "My energy levels aren't great. I'm getting more tired recently and I'm getting a lot of pain in my back."

"Even though I'm not the one at fault, you feel like you're the one on trial because all these questions are being asked of you."

She says she decided to go public with her case to make sure that other women in her position also have a chance to take a case.

"I've already been contacted privately by two women who are in this situation and are consulting solicitors."

Vicky now has a tumour on the lymph nodes surrounding her aorta, which means that she is not a candidate for surgery or radiation treatment due to the potential for damage to her vital organs.

She has also turned down palliative chemotherapy because she feels it "won't do anything for me but make me sicker."

"Once I made the decision not to go down that route, I was on my own. I haven't had one phone call from any of the doctors to see whether I'm dead or alive since I made that decision."

She has been applying to clinical trials since the end of January, but says she has researched everything herself with no help from anyone else.

In answer to those who ask where she finds the time and energy from, Vicky says, "When you're fighting for your life you'll find time and energy to do anything."

"I feel so strongly about my misdiagnosis. When there are no options for you, you really are on your own and there's no help out there for patients."

For Vicky, the compensation she has received will make a difference for her family.

"The main priority was to get money for my family in the event that I do die."

"It's a great relief to know that at least my family are provided for."

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