Colorectal cancers are the third most common cancers in men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 130,200 new cases will be diagnosed this year, with an estimated 56,300 deaths resulting from the disease, accounting for about 11 percent of all cancer deaths.

“Since most colorectal cancers found in the earliest polyp stage are curable, we are dedicated to informing the public about the importance of early detection, screening and the latest advances in treatment,” said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and founder and president of Vital Options® TeleSupport® Cancer Network.

Joining Schimmel for the broadcast will be Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, scientific director of the University of Southern California/Norris’ Cancer Genetics Unit and director of its Gastrointestinal Oncology Program. Lenz, a medical oncologist involved in both laboratory research and patient care, will discuss screening and prevention of colon cancer as well as therapeutic advances.

Schimmel’s other guest will be Peter B. Teeley, a colon cancer survivor and co-author with Philip Bashe of “The Complete Cancer Survival Guide: Everything You Must Know and Where to go For State-Of-The-Art Treatment of the 25 Most Common Forms of Cancer,” published by Doubleday.

Teeley had served in a number of governmental posts including U.S. ambassador to Canada; vice presidential press secretary and assistant to then vice president George Bush; ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund; communications director and press secretary at the Republican National Committee and for two United States senators. Still involved in government affairs, he had been a Harvard Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government and is chairman of the Children’s Charities Foundation.

All phone calls to The Group Room—the world’s largest cancer support group--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, MFCC, 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 Tampa, 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 educational grants from founding sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Inc., Pharmacia Oncology and Genentech BioOncology Inc.