The symposium is internationally recognized as the leading breast cancer meeting focusing on basic biology and clinical efforts toward prevention and treatment of the disease.

"Broadcasting from the San Antonio symposium provides our listeners with the opportunity to speak directly with prominent researchers about the latest advances in breast cancer research, treatment, detection and prevention," said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and Founder and CEO of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network, the southern California-based not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization that produces the show in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation's largest radio network.

Joining Schimmel will be:

• Dr. Paul Goss, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada; Director, Breast Cancer Prevention Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network.
• Dr. Mark Pegram, Associate Professor of Medicine, UCLA Medical School; Director, Women's Cancer Program, UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles.
• Dr. Robert Kuske, Professor, Clinical Health Sciences, Dept. of Human Oncology, Radiation Oncology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisc.
• Dr. Robert Comis, President of the Board of Directors for the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups Inc.; Group Chair of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG); Professor of Medicine and Director of Hahnemann University's Clinical Trials Research Center, Philadelphia.
• Dr. Matti S. Aapro, Director, Multidisciplinary Oncology Institute at Clinique de Genolier in Switzerland, near Geneva; Executive Director, International Society for Geriatric Oncology (SIOG); Director, Editorial Division of the European School of Oncology (ESO).

The Group Room airs live every Sunday in select cities throughout the United States, reaching more than half-a-million radio listeners a week in addition to its worldwide web audience, which hears the show simulcast on the Internet at www.vitaloptions.org.

All phone calls to The Group Room are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. Callers in the U.S. and Canada can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666). European callers can find access numbers at www.vitaloptions.org. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

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 patients of all ages and issues related to everyone touched by cancer. In 2001, Vital Options was officially renamed Vital Options International to reflect its international expansion.

In addition to The Group Room, other Vital Options projects include CancerTalk™ and Excerpts from The Group Room, an in-flight audio program on American Airlines produced in association with Sky Radio; and The Cancer NewsMinute™, a cancer news feature that broadcasts daily on CBS radio stations throughout the United States.

Vital Options and The Group Room are supported through educational grants from founding sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., Pharmacia Oncology and Genentech BioOncology Inc.

Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and Pharmacia Oncology are also the leading sponsors of Vital Options International's growth in the European market.