Varian Medical Systems Sponsors Special Broadcast of The Group Room(R), a Live Radio Talkshow About Cancer

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ASTRO Booth #2303 -- Varian Medical Systems is sponsoring a special broadcast of The Group Room, a live radio talkshow about cancer that will air during the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, Oct. 28.

The Group Room is a weekly call-in cancer talkradio show that airs live every Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. via select stations across the nation, XM satellite radio, podcast, and Internet simulcast. It is produced by Vital Options(R) International, a Los Angeles-based not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization with a mission to facilitate a global cancer dialogue. Hosted by three-time cancer survivor, advocate and author Selma R. Schimmel, the show addresses the clinical, emotional and psychosocial needs of cancer patients as well as their families.

Three prominent radiation oncologists who have been among the leading adopters of new image-guided radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer, will participate in the show and take questions from the listening audience:

-- Arno J. Mundt, MD, professor and chairman of the Radiation Oncology Department at the University of California at San Diego. -- Christopher Rose, MD, board certified radiation oncologist and associate director of Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group, practicing at Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank as well as at the Center for Radiation Therapy of Beverly Hills. -- Todd Scarbrough, MD, director of the MIMA Cancer Center in Melbourne, Florida.

"With so many important advances happening in radiation oncology, we are very grateful that Varian Medical Systems is making it possible for The Group Room(R) to broadcast live from the ASTRO meeting," says Schimmel. "The show enables the public a chance to speak firsthand with leading radiation oncologists and researchers, and to further support the effort of the ASTRO Survivors Circle, which recognizes those who are living with the diagnosis of cancer."

"While ASTRO is primarily about professional development for radiation oncology clinicians, we wanted to participate in this broadcast, which puts the focus on patients and their families who are coping with cancer and how it is treated," says Spencer Sias, Varian's vice president of corporate communications. "Varian has long been committed to supporting educational programs that help cancer patients understand the revolutionary changes taking place in the field of radiation therapy -- advances that are making radiotherapy treatments more precise, more targeted, and more effective than ever before in history."

For a list of radio stations that air The Group Room, click here. Callers can participate toll-free during the show at 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666), via toll free numbers in other countries, and by e-mail to info@vitaloptions.org.

ABOUT VITAL OPTIONS(R) INTERNATIONAL

Vital Options was the first psychosocial and advocacy organization for young adults with cancer, before expanding into an international cancer communications organization for people of all ages with the launch of The Group Room cancer talk radio show in 1996. Vital Options is noted for its pioneering and innovative approaches in using multimedia technology to advocate and communicate about cancer through a variety of audio and video formats including, The CancerNewsMinute(R), Cancer Talk(SM), and CancerTours(SM). Vital Options International has a European division based in France, at the American Hospital of Paris, with radio production partners at Radio Marsden, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, in the United Kingdom. For more information, visit http://www.vitaloptions.org/.

ABOUT VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 4,500 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America and Europe and approximately 60 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com/.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Spencer Sias, (650) 424-5782 spencer.sias@varian.com Meryl Ginsberg, (650) 424-6444 meryl.ginsberg@varian.com