You get a lot of radiation in low Earth orbit. For a rad worker on the ground, the annual limit is 5 REMs, for astronauts, they had to extend it to 15 or they’d bench all the astronauts.
Not just xrays, they get hit with protons, neutrons, and far more galactic cosmic rays than us Earthlings get.
So there are factors in cancer and health that are different for astronauts. Probably overriding the health issues of homosexuality.
I find it notable that she did not flaunt it, assuming it’s true and not posthumous homosexual propaganda.
Yet of the original 16 Project Gemini astronauts, 11 are still alive. All in their ‘80’s.
Of the 5 who died, Grissom and White were killed in Apollo 1. Conrad died in a motorcycle accident at age 69. Gordon Cooper of a heart attack after suffering from Parkinson’s at age 77. Only Wally Schirra suffered from lung cancer before dying of a heart attack at age 84. This may have been a result of his being a pack a day smoker.
I’ve met Jim Lovell in his restaurant in Lake Forest. He’s a really nice guy. Good restaurant too.