Auckland: A doctor has been ordered to apologise to the family of a New Zealand woman who died after he "completely forgot" to tell her she had breast cancer.

The woman died earlier this year after a five-year battle with breast cancer which her GP failed to diagnose quickly, despite being told by a specialist that she probably had the disease.

A New Zealand doctor "forgot" to tell his patient she had breast cancer. Credit:Louie Douvis

In a scathing report released by New Zealand's Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill on Monday, the GP was told to review his practice and audit his clinical files to ensure he didn't miss more cancer cases involving other patients.

The woman, who had breast cancer treatment in 2003, went to the unidentified medical centre in November 2009 complaining of pain in her left shoulder.