More than seven out of ten people contacting the information service of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) are women.

That is juts one of the findings of a new report carried out for the organisation, measuring the impact and effectiveness of the service.

It has found the need for better engagement with men, older people and the disabled.

Around 40% of the 80,000 people who contacted the service last year were recovering from cancer, while 39% had called on behalf of a friend or relative who has been diagnosed.

The ICS says with cancer numbers expected to increase to 40,000 cases per year by 2020, demand for the information service will grow.

It is calling on healthcare professionals here to direct patients and their families to the service more often.

Donal Buggy, head of services at the ICS said: "This report bears this out and the feedback is extremely positive with an overall satisfaction rating of 95%. We now have the evidence which will allow us to improve and develop our service to meet the challenges ahead as well as addressing the recommendations in the report."

"We are committed to evolving and improving in areas such as how we engage with men, disadvantaged communities, older people and non-Irish nationals," he added.