Held every four years, the Congress reflects the principal goal of the International Union Against Cancer to focus on cancer as a global challenge with the aim of decreasing its incidence, mortality and the suffering of cancer patients and their families.

The Group Room broadcast will bring together a panel of international cancer experts discussing worldwide cancer incidence and regional differences; tobacco control; cervical cancer control in Africa; psychosocial oncology; nutrition and cancer; geriatric oncology; and cancer complementary and alternative medicine.

"Cancer is a global disease and research surrounding its prevention, detection and treatment requires an international effort. As a organization with an emphasis on communication and advocacy, this broadcast is essential in our mission to facilitate a global cancer dialogue," said Selma R. Schimmel, host of the radio show and CEO and Founder of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network, which produces the program in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation's largest radio network.

Joining Schimmel will be:

• Dr. Stener Kvinnsland, UICC-ICC Secretary General and Congress President (Norway);
• Dr. Derek Yach, Executive Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization (WHO);
• Dr. Robert A. Hiatt, Deputy Director, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute (USA);
• Dr. Cecily Banura, Uganda Society for Health Scientists, Institute of Public Health, Makerere Medical School, Kampala (Uganda);
• Dr. Jimmie C. Holland, Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavorial Sciences, Wayne E. Chapman Chair of Psychiatric Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (USA);
• Dr. Hans E. Krokan, Head, Institute of Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway);
• Dr. Lodovico Balducci, Program Leader, Senior Adult Oncology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center (USA);
• Colleen O. Lee, RN, MS, AOCN, Practice Assessment Program Manager, Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NCI (USA).

The Group Room features Schimmel and The Group Room's regular on-air medial experts--medical oncologist Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving, MFCC--who are joined each week by callers affected by cancer as well as renowned cancer experts and advocates who provide updates on research, medical advances and advocacy efforts. All phone calls are screened by a licensed oncology social worker.

The Group Room regularly produces remote location broadcasts from the world's leading oncology meetings, such as the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and its European equivalents, ESMO/ECCO, and from preeminent cancer centers in the United States and Europe.

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 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. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

Vital Options works collaboratively with other cancer organizations and groups in various cancer communication initiatives. In addition to The Group Room, other Vital Options projects include CancerTalk™, an in-flight audio program on American and Northwest airlines produced in association with Sky Radio; The Cancer NewsMinute™, a cancer news radio feature; and The Professor & The Survivor™, an international clinical trials awareness project.

Vital Options International is a not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization headquartered in southern California. 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's growth in Europe; Pharmacia Oncology is an associate sponsor.