Difficulty swallowing

Throat constriction—while an uncommon symptom in this survey—could be a nervous or immune system issue, or it could be a harbinger of conditions such as cancer in the esophagus, stomach, or throat.

Bleeding

Coughing up blood can signal lung cancer; blood in the stool could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Women who experience unexplained vaginal bleeding should be checked for cervical or endometrial cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple can signal breast cancer, while blood in the urine can mean you have bladder or kidney cancer. Unusual bleeding can occur during any phase of cancer and warrants a visit to your doctor.

Changes in skin moles

Of the 7% of respondents who reported a change in a mole, freckle, or wart's appearance, only 47% contacted their doctors. (Here are 7 skin issues you should definitely get checked out.) What's more troubling, however, is that more than 88% didn't think the symptom was serious, though it could be indicative of skin cancer—which is often treatable.

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