My throat always hurts?

When I was a kid I had frequent ear infections, and frequently had strep throat. The ear infections went away, I rarely get them now, but my throat ALWAYS hurts, and my ears are always popping like they would when I had an ear infection, I mean my ears still hurt a little but it's usually bearable. I'm concerned with what I heard about people getting throat cancer that a symptom is your throat always hurting. Is this correct? I haven't been to a doctor or anything in a long time, and I'm getting concerned. Any help would be appreciated.