By Richard Hartley-parkinson

PUBLISHED: 12:11 EST, 16 May 2012 | UPDATED: 06:42 EST, 17 May 2012

A genetic 'map' that could help give more accurate diagnoses of breast cancer has been drawn up, showing the varied landscape of the disease in more detail than ever before.

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, say the development will lead to more effective treatments.

They found that rather than being a single disease, breast cancer is a diverse range of cancer species.

Scientists described nine new genes that drive the development of breast cancer, bringing the known total to 40.

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has drawn up a genetic 'map' of breast cancer showing the landscape of the disease in more detail than ever before

The research, conducted by a large international team of British-led experts, involved analysing DNA from 100 tumour samples.

Scientists scoured more than 21,000 genes for cancer-causing 'driver' mutations that can turn an ordinary cell into one that multiplies uncontrollably.

They also identified nine genes previously not known to be linked to the disease.

Original post:

New genetic 'map' drawn up that will give better diagnosis for breast cancer patients and more effective treatment