Lung cancer: Symptoms include a persistent cough and breathlessness

“The initial signs, if any, are typically mild and often mistakenly attributed to another, less serious condition, such as the common cold or flu.”

Nonetheless, the organisation says some people may notice one or more vague warning signs that something is not quite right early on.

It states: “It is important to pay close attention to these signs. In general, the earlier lung cancer is detected, the more treatment options a patient is likely to have, so it is essential to begin the diagnostic process as soon as possible.”

The charity says the initial symptoms of lung cancer usually involve the respiratory system, which includes “the nose, mouth, throat, voice box, windpipe and lungs”.