The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has officially launched its Daffodil Centre at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.

Daffodil Centres provide information, support and advice on cancer and are based in hospitals around the country. Last year alone, they dealt with queries from more than 40,000 people, and this figure is expected to increase to 50,000 this year.

The St Vincent's Daffodil Centre is run by an ICS cancer nurse and 18 trained volunteers. It opened in February 2014 and has already dealt with almost 4,500 contacts. The centre is open to everybody and no referral or appointment is needed.

"We are delighted to bring our cancer information, support and advice service to the point of diagnosis and care - the hospital. This is a service not just for the patient, it is for their families and friends and anyone else who has a concern or question about cancer.

"The centre in St. Vincent's is one of 12 across the country and it is our hope that one day we will have a Daffodil Centre in every place where cancer is diagnosed and treated," explained ICS chief executive, John McCormack.

Meanwhile, according to Prof Ronan O'Connell, chairperson of St Vincent's Cancer Care Committee, the centre will also prove helpful to staff working in the hospital.

"The Centre will support the staff at St Vincent's and they can be assured they are directing their patients to a trusted source of support and information, delivered by a professional and expert organisation," he noted.

Daffodil Centres are currently located in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Donegal.

For more information on cancer, click here or call the National Cancer Helpline on 1800 200 700.