Published by Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network with an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Oncology, The Professor & The Survivor brochure takes a new, human message and global approach in describing the clinical trials process. It presents key questions and issues for patients to address with their doctors, as well as information about potential benefits and risks to patients, protection of patient rights, the importance of being both informed and proactive, and additional resources. The brochure includes a historical colorectal cancer timeline of significant discoveries and treatment advances. The Professor & The Survivor brochure series will also be translated into multiple foreign languages.

"This series of clinical trials brochures is designed to help put a human face on the clinical trials message, facilitate a dialogue between patients and their doctors, help mobilize advocacy and inspire investigators worldwide to choose careers in cancer research," said Selma R. Schimmel, CEO and Founder of Vital Options International and host of the nationally syndicated radio call-in cancer talk show, The Group Room®.

The Professor & The Survivor brochure series was launched in 2002, with the first publication focusing on breast cancer clinical trials and featuring the research of Prof. Gianni Bonadonna, MD, President of the Michelangelo Foundation on Cancer Research and Chair of Prospective Clinical Trials at the Istituto Tumori in Milan, Italy. "Always at the core is hope and the ability to gain and sustain a patient's trust and confidence when participating in a clinical trial," noted Dr. Bonadonna.

The colorectal cancer clinical trials brochure highlights the work of Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, and Director, Colorectal Center at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, who commented that "Clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat or prevent diseases. We need participation of all ethnic groups to reach our goals." Dr. Lenz will be featured on the March 14th broadcast of The Group Room®.

"Clinical trials are vital to finding tomorrow's combinations for care," added Mark Morrison, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Pfizer Inc. "Initiatives such as The Professor & The Survivor series are central to patient education and to help extend patients' survival in colorectal cancer."

The brochures will be distributed at no cost to cancer advocacy organizations, cancer centers and physicians' offices. It can also be accessed at www.professorandsurvivor.org or www.vitaloptions.org.

The Group Room is produced by Vital Options® International in association with Premiere Radio Networks and airs live every Sunday in cities throughout the United States, reaching more than a half-million radio listeners a week, in addition to others who tune in via XM Satellite Radio or the Internet simulcast at www.vitaloptions.org where the show is also archived. Callers can enter discussions toll-free by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666) or sending their comments and questions by email to info@vitaloptions.org. Vital Options International is a not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization headquartered in southern California.