It is also that with so many sufferers being diagnosed too late for surgery, there hasn't historically been as much tissue available to researchers to carry out the kind of genetic research necessary to develop effective targeted treatments.

BBC: How under-funded is lung cancer research?

The median age of diagnosis for lung cancer is 72, but with 42, 000 diagnosed every year there are many thousands of sufferers who are much younger.

BBC: How under-funded is lung cancer research?

Finding a treatment for Alzheimer's, a brain disease that progressively robs sufferers of their memory, is a priority of many drug makers.

WSJ: Medivation, Pfizer Alzheimer's Drug Fails to Meet Study Goals

Representatives from the Alzheimer's Society and Parkinson's UK Cymru stressed the need for early diagnosis of the illnesses said that staff should be trained to deal with these illnesses as there are so many sufferers currently in the care system.

BBC: Health and Social Care Committee