What Causes Chest Pain During Swallowing With Esophagus Discomfort?

Hi. A couple of days ago I awoke and started experiencing pain in my chest when I would swallow. The pain is located to the left of my right breast and feels like I could have a scratch on my esophagus. It hasn t gotten better and the pain has become a dull throb throughout the day. Having such a strong family history of cancer, along with a whole host of other problems, it makes me worry that I may be ignoring something that could be serious. I m 33 years old, a diabetic with good sugar control, but I smoke. How long should I let this condition continue before seeing my family doctor? If it is a scratch or ulcer on the esophagus, how long does it usually take to heal? And is there anything I could be doing to help it heal faster? Thank you for your time, Melissa