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Genetics research boosts cancer hopes

THE genetic code of the most common type of hereditary breast cancer has been mapped, raising hopes for better diagnosis and treatment for the killer disease, scientists said.

Researchers say they have "fully sequenced" the DNA of two breast cancers caused by a faulty BRCA1 gene, which is responsible for aggressive and highly drug-resistant tumours.

The team from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research says it hopes it will lead to more tailored treatment for patients.