THE QUIET 'WARRIOR' PIONEER IN CANCER RESEARCH PROFILED ON KCET'S 'NOVA'.

In 1961, Dr. Judah Folkman stumbled upon a secret he believed explains how cancer grows. The theory he would go on to develop is that tumors grow by developing their own blood vessels. And for the past 35 years, he has conducted research to prove his theory.

On Tuesday night, ``Nova'' presents the story of this medical pioneer, whose persistence led to a new strategy in the fight against cancer. ``The Cancer Warrior'' airs at 8 p.m. on KCET.

Folkman's research led to the discovery of an inhibitor to angiogenesis, or blood vessel growth, within the tumor itself. Now, hundreds of labs are studying angiogenesis and more than two dozen drugs are being developed. Last year, encouraging results were reported after the first human trial of the cancer drug endostatin, developed in Folkman's lab.

The ``Nova'' show tracks his career through interviews with Folkman and members of his research team. Also featured are patients participating in endostatin trials and other therapies pioneered by Folkman, who is director of Surgical Research Libraries at Children's Hospital in Boston and professor of surgery and cell biology at Harvard Medical School.

- Elizabeth Smilor

You are what you eat, so find out for yourself

Free food, free testing for possible food disorders, massages and even henna tattoos are part of the educational pampering event taking place today at California State University, Northridge, in the Grand Salon of the Student Union building.

The school is kicking off national Eating Disorders Awareness Week today with its fifth annual Mind and Body Fair that also includes a ``Room With a View'' where participants can weigh themselves on the ``scales of fortune,'' look through a distorted mirror and express feelings on a graffiti wall, says CSUN counselor and event coordinator Ellen Mayer, who credits the Seattle-based Eating Disorders Awareness Prevention Inc. with the idea of college campus awareness programs.

On Tuesday at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in the Student Union, Dr. Vicky Berkus of the Sierra Tucson treatment center will discuss the causes of eating disorders, including anorexia and compulsive overeating. At 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of Building 9 of the University Park Apartments, students can hear ``Nothing to Hide,'' the personal story of a woman who has battled bulimia.

On Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Student Union, the public is invited to an free performance of ``The Magic Dress,'' a one-act play about a young girl's struggle with body image, starring Dr. Linda Blakeley, creator of the Positive Self Images treatment program in Beverly Hills.

The eating disorder awareness series ends at noon Wednesday with a lecture by Dr. Divya Kakaiya, clinical director of the Healthy Within day treatment center in San Diego, who will speak on ``Cultural Issues With Eating Disorders.''

For more information about Eating Disorders Awareness Week, call the university counseling services department at [phone], or look on the event Web site at www.csun.edu/counseling/jade.html.

- Barbara De Witt

LISTEN TO YOUR ELDERS: As the first African-American and second woman to hold the post of U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders advocated health and sex education and addressed the health needs of the young and poor. As a private citizen, she continues to promote this agenda and will speak on ``Education and Personal Responsibility'' at Soka University of America at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Elders was appointed by former President Clinton as Surgeon General in 1993 and served 15 months before being forced to resign as a result of a controversial remark about sex education. Her address Wednesday is part of the university's Human Rights Lecture Series and is open to the public on a first-come basis. Soka University is at 26800 W. Mulholland Highway in Calabasas. For more information, call [phone].

- E.S.

REDUCING STREES: Stress - can't live with it, can't avoid it. But we can learn to manage it. And a seminar offered Thursday by Glendale College's Community Services Education program can help. Participants in ``The Keys to Stress Reduction'' will learn mental and physical relaxation techniques and how to develop positive responses to stress. The seminar will be led by Liza Boubari, who specializes in hypnotherapy and stress management. The fee is $29, and there is a $10 materials fee payable to the instructor for a class manual. The class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room 127 at Hoover High School, 651 Glenwood Road, Glendale. Those interested can preregister by calling [phone], Ext. 5015 or 5016, or register Thursday at the door with cash, check or money order.

- E.S.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1) DR. JUDAH FOLKMAN

(2 -- 3) Cancer researcher Dr. Judah Folkman's theory of angiogenesis that tumors grow by developing their own blood vessels, has led to the development of drugs that inhibit this process.

(4) ELDERS