Lung cancer is one of the most serious types of cancer to be diagnosed, as it’s usually difficult to spot until it has spread to other parts of the body. You could be at risk of the disease if you develop a new cough that won’t go away.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers to be diagnosed in the UK, warned the NHS.

Around 45,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK every year.

Signs of the disease only tend to reveal themselves once the cancer has spread through the lungs.

One of the most common signs of the disease is a cough that keeps you awake at night.

Having a cough doesn’t necessarily mean that you have lung cancer.

But, a persistent cough could be caused by the condition, according to the NHS.

The cough can be either dry or wet, so it can be difficult to identify.

The easiest way to know when to speak to a doctor is if your cough lasts longer than three weeks.

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A lung cancer cough is also more likely to include a rust-coloured phlegm.

Patients have also reported frequently coughing up blood, while the cough can lead to a pain in the chest.

“Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include a new cough that doesn’t go away, and coughing up blood, even a small amount,” added the Mayo Clinic.

“Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you.”

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The blood in your phlegm – which is a mix of both saliva and mucus – could come from anywhere along your respiratory tract.

There are a number of causes for blood-tinged phlegm, including bronchitis, nosebleeds, and other chest infections.

It could even be caused by pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, or tuberculosis.

Other lung cancer symptoms include having a cough that won’t go away, having a hoarse throat, or feeling short of breath.

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You should speak to a doctor if you’re worried about the signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

The outlook for lung cancer isn’t as good as other types of cancer, as the symptoms are usually only spotted in its later stages.

About one in three patients live for at least a year after their diagnosis, while one in 20 live for another 10 years.

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