The bestselling author - who recently released her new book Sisterhood - explained that 'practical help' can be the best way to bring comfort and assistance when someone you know is going through the illness
An estimated 42,000 people in Ireland get cancer each year, according to The Irish Cancer Society, and for those with loved ones who are diagnosed it can be difficult to know what to do or say.
Read more: Cathy Kelly on cancer diagnosis and breaking the news to loved ones: 'Cancer drives into your life like a truck' "It is annoying when people say 'ah sure you'll be fine,' and then you're sort of left going 'where is your oncology registration, I want to see that!' she joked. "Because there are so many things that happen - food, cooking, shopping, dog walking, all these things go out the window."