Persistent night time cough - scared

[livingonaprairie]

First things first, I smoke. About 12 a day and have smoked for 15 years. I'm not proud of it and I don't want to be a smoker but that's for a different thread.
I wake up nearly every night and cough - not great big hacking coughs but short, throat-clearing kind of coughs. I can't take deep breaths in. Some of the time I cough up clear phlegm too. Sometimes it's just a little cough and I can get back to sleep easily, other times (like tonight) I have to get up, have a cup of tea and wait for an hour or longer before I can be comfortable lying down again.
Would you go to the doctor about this - the recent TV ads about a persistent cough have got me worried. I don't want to go because I'm terrified of being told that this is lung cancer - I have 2 small DCs (5 and 2).
Please don't tell me that I need to stop smoking. I know, and I keep trying but DH is a smoker too and it's extremely hard.

Ditto Footle's advice. The doctor might also be able to offer you some practical help about giving up smoking as well.

Yes, you need to go to the doctor, but don't panic yet, it could be nothing or semi-serious, not ncessarily lung cancer. Some sort of bronchitis, asthma, allergies...My mum had few years of coughing attacks (former smoker) and they never found out what it was despite lots of tests. She thinks it could have been the damp/mould in her bedroom. Do you cough during the day as well?

Thanks for your replies. I have 3 weeks off work starting next week so will make an appointment and go. I also have been on the NHS stop smoking site and have set Monday as my day to try and quit (again) - I'm more determined than ever though.
I don't cough during the day, it's only a night thing, and it's not every night -it's more like every night for a week or so and then a while without anything.
Just off to phone the GP now