Gynecologic—or pelvic—cancers include: cervical, endometrial, vaginal, vulvar and ovarian-epithelial cancers; ovarian germ cell and low malignant tumors; gestational trophoblastic tumor; uterine sarcoma.

“We’ll be discussing gynecologic cancers in general, but focusing on cervical cancer since January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month,” said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and founder and president of Vital Options® Telesupport® Cancer Network. “With proper screening, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers,” she added.

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be some 12,800 new cases of invasive cervical cancer and 4,600 deaths from the disease in the United States this year. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second or third leading cancer killer among women.

Joining Schimmel for the broadcast will be guests Dr. Lynda D. Roman and Dr. Laila I. Muderspach, gynecologic oncologists at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and members of the faculty of Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California School of Medicine.

”Women should be aware of the great importance of regular Pap smears and pelvic examinations to help prevent cervical cancer,” said Dr. Muderspach. “Medical specialists can diagnose such pre-cancerous conditions as cervical dysplasia and deal with them before they become cancer.”

“Today there are many more options for treating cervical cancer,” said Dr. Roman. “New procedures, such as the fertility-sparing radical trachelectomy, can also offer hope to some women with cervical cancer.”

All phone calls to The Group Room are screened by a licensed oncology social worker and topics about all aspects of cancer will be accepted. Callers can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666).

In addition to Schimmel, The Group Room’s other in-studio regulars include medical oncologist Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving, who is also a cancer survivor.

The two-hour program airs live every Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ET (1-3 p.m. PT) in selected cities throughout the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Memphis and New Orleans, and reaches more than 300,000 listeners a week. It is also simulcast worldwide via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org).

The Group Room is produced by Vital Options TeleSupport Cancer Network and Premiere Radio Networks. Vital Options is a Los Angeles-based national non-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options at 818-508-5657 for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

The Group Room is supported through unrestricted educational grants from founding sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn and Genentech BioOncology Inc.

One of the only facilities in the Pacific Southwest built exclusively for cancer research and patient care, USC/Norris has been designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center. USC/Norris is staffed by the faculty of the world-renowned Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, and provides a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer research, patient care, prevention and education.