Cervical cancer patient advocate Vicky Phelan says people should be thinking of others and not just themselves when it comes to taking precautions over the coronavirus.
It comes amid growing concern among cancer patients about the spread of Covid-19.
While research into the virus is still at its early stages, the early evidence has indicated that people with weakened immune systems are at high risk.
The number of confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland has now risen to 24 following three new confirmed cases yesterday.
A series of measures - including the cancellation of St Patrick's Day parades across the country - are being put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Vicky Phelan said she is taking a number of precautions to avoid infection.
She explained: "I've been fine over the last few days - [but] when the cases started to go up last weekend I just made the decision, along with my oncologist, to try and keep away from big gatherings.
"I think [the] sensible thing for me is to try to avoid areas where there's going to be a huge group of people coming from different areas.
"That's what we all need to start doing, to be honest: for other people, even if you're not sick yourself. We have to think of others here."
She said she is definitely restricting her movements more than normal but isn't staying completely house-bound.
Ms Phelan said: "I'm still getting out and about, out in the open air - going for walks and things like that.
"But I'm definitely a lot more cagey about meeting up with people, put it that way.
"I'm nearly asking people where they have been flying for the last two weeks... it's terrible, but I think we're going to become more like that, unfortunately."
