The vast majority of people do not realise that a persistent cough could be a sign of lung cancer, research suggests.
A survey of almost 1,500 people, conducted by Cancer Research UK, revealed that just five per cent of respondents knew this was a possible symptom of the disease.
Furthermore, just two people realised that a painful cough could be a warning sign, while less than 15 per cent cited persistent chest pain.
Other possible symptoms of lung cancer that most people failed to recognise include a change in an existing cough; a persistent chest infection; unexplained weight loss or fatigue; coughing up blood; and shortness of breath.
Sara Hiom, director of information at Cancer Research UK and an author of the study in the journal Thorax, said: 'It's very worrying to see from our survey results that when asked to think of lung cancer symptoms many common ones simply don't come to mind for most people.'
Ms Hiom emphasised the importance of recognising symptoms and catching the disease in its earliest stages, as this can improve a person's chances of survival.
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the UK and approximately nine out of every ten cases is caused by smoking.