The broadcast will feature Prof. Michael Richards, MD, Britain's National Cancer Director and Chair of Palliative Medicine at Guy's-St. Thomas Hospital, London. Often referred to as Great Britain's "Cancer Czar," Richards was appointed by the UK government in 1999 to modernize cancer services and improve survival rates across England.

The show will focus on, but will not be limited to, breast cancer and supportive care issues. Together with Dr. Stephen Johnston, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, and Prof. Peter Harper, Consultant Physician and Medical Oncologist at Guy's-St. Thomas Hospital, Richards will discuss general cancer issues in Britain as well as that nation's first trial to determine whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is safe for women with a history of breast cancer; the role of aromatase inhibitors (agents that help block the effects of estrogen on the tumor) in the treatment of breast cancer; and mammography screening.

Also joining the discussion, which will be hosted by Selma R. Schimmel, will be The Group Room's radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick, from the show's Los Angeles-based studio at Premiere Radio Networks, as well as callers from throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Listeners can also tune in to the program via the Internet simulcast at www.vitaloptions.org.

"Cancer is a global disease and our goal is to unify the voices of cancer patients and create an opportunity to exchange thoughts and information," said Schimmel, who is also CEO and Founder of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network, the southern California-based not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization that produces the radio show in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the largest radio network in the U.S.

"It is a privilege for The Group Room to be able to broadcast live from The Royal Marsden in an effort to facilitate communication about the common issues and concerns cancer patients face on both sides of the Atlantic," she added.

The international broadcast will be made possible through a partnership between Vital Options and Radio Marsden, the hospital's in-house radio station. Patients at The Royal Marsden in Chelsea and Sutton will be able to hear the show using headsets at their bedside and callers in Britain can join discussions through local toll-free numbers (see below).

The Royal Marsden, the world's oldest cancer hospital, is a specialist teaching hospital for cancer treatment, research and education with an international reputation for providing high-quality treatment and sensitive care. More than 30,000 patients are seen at the Royal Marsden each year, having been referred from throughout the UK and aboard. The Group Room's first broadcast from the hospital was in January 2001.

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.

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™, an in-flight audio program on American and Northwest Airlines; The Cancer NewsMinute™, a radio news feature; and The Professor and The Survivor™, an international clinical trials awareness project.

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. and Pharmacia Oncology.

Ortho Biotech is the lead sponsor of Vital Options International growth in the European market with additional support provided by Pharmacia Oncology.