A cough that may indicate lung cancer - doctor names symptom

The UK's NHS has reminded the public about lung cancer symptoms that should not be ignored, following the death of TV presenter Dame Esther Rantzen. Key signs include a cough lasting three weeks, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. In the UK, 33,000–35,000 people die from lung cancer annually, making it the most common cause of cancer death.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has published a list of lung cancer symptoms that should not be ignored. The trigger was the death of renowned TV presenter Dame Esther Rantzen, who passed away on September 30, 2026, at the age of 86 after a three-year battle with stage four lung cancer. The symptom list, published by the NHS on Instagram eight weeks ago for World Lung Cancer Day, includes: a cough lasting three weeks or longer; a persistent cough that worsens over time; recurring chest infections; coughing up blood; pain when breathing or coughing; persistent shortness of breath or fatigue; loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss. According to Cancer Research UK, 33,000–35,000 people die from lung cancer annually in the UK—21% of all cancer deaths, about 90 people per day. Some 48,000–50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with 79% considered preventable; smoking remains the main risk factor. The UK operates a Targeted Lung Health Check program for smokers aged 55–74, offering low-dose CT scans. The program is gradually expanding in England, with similar checks being introduced in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.