This is the third year the nationally syndicated radio talk show about cancer will broadcast live from ASCO, one of the largest and most important scientific oncology meetings in the world. The meeting will take place May 20-23.

Topics to be discussed on The Group Room include the latest findings in breast and lung cancer research; ASCO’s quality-of-care initiative; quality-of-life issues, such as fatigue; and the current status of anti-angiogenesis research and treatment two years after certain media stories raised the issue of cancer being cured this May through this therapeutic approach.

“It is always a privilege for us to broadcast live from ASCO,” said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and founder and president of Vital Options® TeleSupport® Cancer Network, the Los-Angeles-based not-for-profit national cancer communications, support and advocacy organization that produces the program in association with Premiere Radio Networks.

“ASCO allows our listeners to hear--and speak directly with--renowned oncologists and researchers when the research is first being presented. In addition, having a live audience of ASCO attendees further enhances our ability to increase understanding about cancer and how state-of-the-art treatments will affect patients,” she said.

Guests and topics featured on the May 21 broadcast will include:

• ASCO president Dr. Joseph S. Bailes--overview and highlights of the meeting including ASCO’s quality-of-care initiative;
• Dr. Gregory Curt, clinical director and acting deputy director for clinical affairs at the National Cancer Institute--quality-of-life issues including fatigue;
• Dr. Lee Rosen, director of cancer therapy development program at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center—anti-angiogenesis research.
• Dr. Chandra Belani, co-director of the lung cancer program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute--non-small cell lung cancer;
• Dr. Mark Green, director of the Hollings Cancer Center and chief of hematology/oncology at Medical University of South Carolina--small cell lung cancer;
• Dr. William Gradishar, director of breast medical oncology at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University—breast cancer.

All phone calls to The Group Room—the world’s largest cancer support group—are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. Callers can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666).

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 Tampa, and reaches more than 300,000 listeners a week. It is also simulcast worldwide via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org).

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 Oncology and Genentech BioOncology Inc.