BURKE, Va. (APRIL 10, 2026) — In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery will offer free oral cancer screenings at the Burke clinic April 15 from 2 pm to 4 pm. To participate, arrive at the clinic during the designated times and ask for a free cancer screening. Clinic location: 5206 Lyngate Court, Burke, Va., 22015.
The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. April is widely recognized as Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics and screenings. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal (middle throat) cancer – with 13,150 deaths attributed to it – in 2026.
“Oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90% when diagnosed early, according to the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation,” said Amir Naimi, DDS, of Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery “That’s why we recommend annual screenings by a qualified healthcare professional for most patients, as well as monthly self-exams that you can do on your own.”
For the monthly self-examinations, Dr. Naimi recommends using a bright light and mirror to look for “anything out of the ordinary, such as white or red patches, lumps, swelling, or sores that won’t heal – particularly those that bleed. Other warning signs, as identified by the CDC, include unexplained swelling or unusual bleeding and difficulty performing daily functions like breathing, speaking and chewing or swallowing food.
“If you feel or see anything out of the ordinary in or on your mouth, throat or neck, we urge you to get it checked out by your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional, as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you’re in pain,” added Dr. Naimi, “Because oral cancer doesn’t always present with pain during the early stages.”
The American Cancer Society reports that the average age of people diagnosed with these cancers is 64 and that one in five cases occur in people younger than 55. Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, nutrition, mouth/face injuries, oral hygiene and certain medical conditions/diseases.
Dr. Naimi is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon – the highest credential that can be obtained in the specialty, according to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Naimi earned both his undergraduate degree and his DDS from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residency through Tufts University, in affiliation with the New England Medical Center.
Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery is a full-scope OMS practice led by four board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The practice has three locations treating patients in Northern Virginia. They are located in Burke, Reston and Alexandria. For more information, visit https://www.novaoms.com.
The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. The foundation strives to produce measurable, progressive change through education, awareness, research, outreach and advocacy. For more information, visit https://www.mnofs.com/head-neck-cancer-foundation.