What are "genes"?

What are "genes"?

Richard E. Gould (Hematologist/Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center) gives expert video advice on: What are the most common types of breast cancer?; What causes breast cancer?; Is breast cancer fatal? and more...

In regards to breast cancer basics, genes are basically our DNA. Genes are what we're born with, we get half of our genes from our mothers, half of our genes from our fathers, and based upon that, it makes up who we are to a degree. Environment also plays a factor too, but we are all born with a certain genetic predisposition to medical conditions like diabetes, like high blood pressure, as well as cancer. It's important to realize that genes alone do not determine whether you're going to get cancer or not. Just because a relative of yours, your mom, brother or sister develop cancer, does not mean that you will develop cancer because you share some genes. Genes are important, but environment also plays a role.