This is the fourth year the nationally syndicated radio call-in talk show about cancer-produced by Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network in association with Premiere Radio Network-will broadcast live from ASCO, one of the largest and most important scientific oncology meetings in the world. The meeting will take place May 12-15.

The Group Room is heard in select cities throughout the United States by more than half-a-million listeners a week. The European broadcast will take place during the second hour (2-3 pm PT) and will be carried by NPR Worldwide, the external distribution arm of National Public Radio, which relinquished the usual broadcast time of "All Things Considered" for this special broadcast made possible through World Radio Network. The program is also simulcast worldwide via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org). Accessing the Vital Options website will provide information about locating specific radio stations.

The program will feature an international panel of renowned cancer researchers who will discuss highlights of the oncology meeting including the latest advances in breast, colorectal and prostate cancers; quality-of-life issues; and the impact of the Human Genome Project on cancer treatment.

"This year's ASCO broadcast will provide our listeners with a truly global perspective on cancer," said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and founder and CEO of Vital Options® International.

"Not only will we have a panel of distinguished oncologists from the United States, Canada and Europe, but listeners from these nations will also have the opportunity to hear-and speak directly with-these experts at the time the research is first being presented. Our live audience of ASCO attendees will also help stimulate discussions about how state-of-the-art cancer research translates to patient care," she said.

All phone calls to The Group Room are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. Callers in the United States and Canada can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666). During the live broadcast, a phone number for European listeners to call in will be provided. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

The two-hour program airs live every Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ET (1-3 p.m. PT). A book version of the radio show-"Cancer Talk: Voices of Hope and Endurance from 'The Group Room,' the World's Largest Cancer Support Group"-was published in 1999 by Broadway Books, a division of Random House.

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

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.