Carolyn Aldige, President and Founder of the Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA), which spearheaded this March’s second-annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign, will call in to discuss the highlights of a two-day conference concluding March 3 that looked at the consensus and controversy surrounding colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

“Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cancer killer in America,” said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and CEO and Founder of Vital Options International TeleSupport® Cancer Network, the not-for-profit organization that produces The Group Room in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation’s largest radio network.

“Colorectal cancer is also highly curable when diagnosed and treated in the early polyp stage,” added Schimmel, “and we are committed to supporting Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the CRFA’s work in bringing more attention to prevention, treatment and research.”

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 140,000 people will be diagnosed with and more than 57,000 will die from colorectal cancer in the United States in 2001.

The CRFA sponsored the March 2-3 conference in Bethesda, Md., to elicit a national dialogue on colorectal cancer and to continue creating momentum for a high level of awareness of this under-recognized and under-treated disease, noted Aldige.

“We brought together renowned leaders in the field to debate topics ranging from chemopreventive agents to clinical trials for screening colonoscopy and are fortunate to be able to continue this dialogue with listeners of The Group Room,” said Aldige.

Joining Schimmel and Aldige, will be two speakers from the conference: Dr. Michael O’Connell, Group Chair of the North Central Treatment Group, Mayo Clinic, and Dr. John H. Bond, Professor of Medicine at University of Minnesota Medical School and Chief of the Gastroenterology Section of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Also calling in will be Virginia State Senator Emily Couric, who will discuss legislation to cover costs of colorectal cancer screening in Virginia.

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.

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).

Founded in 1983 when Schimmel was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28, Vital Options began as the first organization to address issues related to young adults with cancer before expanding to include issues and information related to everyone affected by cancer. In 2001, Vital Options was officially renamed Vital Options International to reflect its international expansion.

The Group Room—which marked its fifth anniversary on the air this February-- broadcasts live every Sunday in select cities throughout the United States and reaches more than half-a-million listeners a week. It is also simulcast worldwide via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org).

Vital Options International is headquartered in Southern California. The Group Room is supported through educational grants from founding sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Products, LP, Pharmacia Oncology and Genentech BioOncology Inc.