I've had a sore throat on and off for about 2 months now. What could be wro!

My new year's resolution was to quit using chewing tobacco. I started chewing in May of 2009 and my habit was getting out of control (I was going through like 2 tins a week), so starting January 1st I started taking myself off of chew, I chewed less and less for 3 weeks and then stopped completely. But ever since late December I've had a sore throat, it'll be sore everyday constantly for like a week or 2 and then be completely fine for about a week, but then it comes back. Nothing helps the sore throat, cough drops, etc, give me relief for about 5 mins but nothing helps completely. Yesterday I looked in the back of my throat and there were little red bumps there.

Now obviously as a former smokeless tobacco user and smoker (I smoked for about 2 yrs between 2007 and 2009) throat cancer is something I'm a little paranoid about and one of the reasons I quit using tobacco. I've also had issues with acid reflux in the past but that hasn't really been severe for a while.

So basically, does anyone have any idea what this could be. I'm only 22 years old and I would think that the chances of me developing cancer after only about 3 years of tobacco use would be pretty slim (Especially since I know a guy who now has been off of chew for like 10 years, but chewed 3 tins a week for 25+ years with no complications). Could it possibly be throat cancer? Or would it more than likely be something else? Any ideas or advice is greatly appreciated.