Should I be worried about throat cancer

I was a smoker for 13 years. I recently quit about 9 months ago with the help of a vape but I haven't used that in about a week and a half. I had this terrible cold but I feel better except for my throat is sore when I swollow and it only hurts on the right side. It gets worse as the day goes on. I had a really bad cough with the cold which has went away but not all the way. Every once in a while I get in a coughing fit. I also feel like I have something stuck in my throat off and on. Help! I am going to have to go to the doctor but I keep putting it off. Did this happen to anyone else?