July 1, 2009
According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is second only to nonmelanoma skin cancer in number of cases diagnosed each year. The risk significantly increases with age and is higher among African Americans and those with a family history of prostate cancer. Alcohol consumption may also increase risk; and being overweight, though it does not increase the risk of getting the disease, increases the risk of dying from it. The good news is that only 1 in 35 diagnoses result in death, and the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed 1996–2004 is 98.9% (99.5% for white men, 95.4% for black men). Psychologist Dr. David Latini recently sat down with OutSmart to talk about prostate cancer—how it is diagnosed, what the treatment options are, the support available for those confronting the disease, and how the gay prostate-cancer experience differs from the experience of heterosexual men.
July 1, 2009
A s our nation celebrates Independence Day, it conjures up images of hot dogs, fireworks, and Uncle Sam. Thoughts of the 4th of July also call to mind loftier issues like the civil liberties we Americans enjoy—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to a fair and speedy trial, and the right to privacy, among others.
June 1, 2009
In 1983, I was 22 years old and just graduating from college. I was focused on getting into graduate school, getting to the gay bar for nightly drink specials, and getting to know lots of women, but not necessarily in that order. HIV and AIDS were in the news but not yet a part of my world (or at least I didn’t know it was already impacting my life).
June 1, 2009
Despite years of nagging from the American Cancer Society and various other health institutes about the importance of early detection in the treatment of cancer and other illnesses, the fact of the matter is, most people are more attentive to the maintenance of their automobiles than they are to their own health.
May 1, 2009
In the ’80s, an HIV-positive test result was often soon followed by full-blown AIDS. Today, the idea of living with the virus has become one more part of the ever-changing world we inhabit. Foot-long mobile phones have evolved into tiny handheld computers, our cars tell us which direction to take, and a once-certain death sentence is now a manageable disease. But as the pandemic’s headlines have receded, so too has the prevalence of AIDS education and prevention. Experts call it AIDS fatigue.
May 1, 2009
Ah, spring—my favorite time of year. I dearly love the fragrant, white blossoms on the pear trees, the photo-worthy fields of bluebonnets, and all those brightly colored azaleas, tulips, and daffodils. I enjoy the blustery days and the resulting music from the chrome and bamboo wind chimes on my patio. And I even like the cold fronts and thunderstorms that blow through our region during this season.
April 1, 2009
In keeping with OutSmart ‘s 15th birthday, and the themed historic anniversary issue, here are 15 Random Things about HIV/AIDS:
March 1, 2009
Judge John Paul Barnich died of diabetes-related causes on February 2, 2009, at the age of 63. With his death, Houston lost a good friend and a dedicated public servant.
February 1, 2009
With Valentine’s Day’s arrival and Spring just around the corner, a girl’s (and a guy’s) thoughts turn to love, romance, and—for us baser souls—sex! Many of us are busy making plans for our Day d’ Amour—flowers and a card, dinner for two, dancing, champagne, chocolates in a red satin, heart-shaped box, rose petals sprinkled on the bed, or some variation of those traditional offerings. Since lovemaking is an integral part of this day, we should also be planning for safer sex.
January 1, 2009
I recently returned from a trip to San Antonio, one of my favorite cities in the U.S. I appreciate the care with which downtown San Antonio has been laid out for the visitor.
