Need Help! Trying to figure out what my husband's throat pain might be.?

For about the past month or so now my husband has been complaining of a sore throat, and it's a a deep down soreness. He says he can tell it's not his tonsils, and he has no fever or hot/cold flashes, but he does get an aching sensation in his upper chest at times. He's also said that it feels like par of his throat is blocked off and feels 'raw' and is making it much more difficult to swallow, and that even eating ice cream or soups is becoming painful. I have no idea what could be wrong, and I can't get him to see a dr. He has the macho man idea of 'real men' don't see dr.'s, they tough it out. ::sigh:: I'm partly wondering if it could have anything to do with the fact he did smoke for over 10 years, but he quit back in March and as far as I know hasn't had a cig. since then. If anyone thinks they may have any ideas, please help. Thanks!