Health Buzz: Vitamin E and Prostate Cancer and Other Health News

Vitamin E, Selenium Don't Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Medical researchers announced yesterday that they've cut short an attempt to prevent prostate cancer by giving men dietary supplements of vitamin E and selenium. According to the Washington Post's account, the trial involved more than 35,000 men and "marks the latest in a series of disappointing findings about the potential health benefits of vitamins and other nutritional supplements" that contain antioxidants.

Katherine Hobson mentioned the now suspended trial—and interviewed a participant—in the current U.S. News cover story, "Breaking Cancer's Code."

Previously, U.S. News's Adam Voiland explained how to prevent prostate cancer and discussed what 9 different types of men should know about the disease. More about prostate cancer can be found on U.S. News's Prostate Cancer Center's prevention page.

Fighting Asthma by Showing Your Doctor Photos of Your Triggers

Dealing with a diagnosis of asthma or allergies can be tough—and figuring out what is worsening your symptoms isn't easy, either. Might taking photographs of your home—your bedroom, bathroom, basement, and other areas—help your doctor reach conclusions? Perhaps, reports January W. Payne. Researchers have found that arming patients with a disposable camera and a list of areas in the home to take photos of was as useful as a professional environmental assessment—and a whole lot cheaper.

Parents and the PTA Push for More Kids to Get Flu Shots

Ever since their 4-year-old daughter Amanda died of the flu in 2004, Richard Kanowitz and his wife have made it their crusade to ensure that every eligible child gets a flu shot. They lobbied the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend flu shots for all children, which the feds did for the first time this year. Kanowitz's Families Fighting Flu group has launched a "say boo to the flu!" campaign, which is offering to vaccinate the whole family at events in cities around the country before Halloween. There's also the Parent Teacher Association's "Let's Fight Flu Together!" program, in which local PTAs can schedule a shot clinic at school, with parents paying $30 per vaccination. (Some health plans cover the cost of flu shots, but not all do.)

Nancy Shute has the full story.

—Ben Harder