Cancer treatment could be transformed by project to read our DNA Scientists hope it will lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis Predicted genetic revolution will make chemotherapy obsolete in 20 years Project launched today aims to read genetic blueprint of 75,000 volunteers

By Fiona Macrae, Science Correspondent for the Daily Mail

Published: 19:06 EST, 21 December 2014 | Updated: 19:37 EST, 21 December 2014

Cancer treatment could be transformed by a landmark project to read the DNA of thousands of men, women and children.

Scientists believe that unlocking secrets deep in patients' genetic code will lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis, speed the development of 'wonder' drugs and mean better use is made of existing medicines.

It is even predicted that the genetic revolution will make chemotherapy obsolete within 20 years.

The value of genetic testing is demonstrated by Angelina Jolie's experience. Testing revealed that the Hollywood actress carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, meaning she had an 87 per cent risk of developing breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer. The data led Miss Jolie, 39, to have a preventative double mastectomy

The treatment of rare genetic diseases is also set to benefit from the 100,000 Genomes Project, which will combine genetic data with information from health records to give Britain 'the greatest healthcare system in the world'.

Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS's medical director, said the 300million initiative puts the UK in a position to 'unlock a series of secrets about devastating diseases which have remained hidden for centuries and to unlock those on behalf of the whole of humankind'.

Professor Mark Caulfield, the project's chief scientist, said: 'If there was just one medicine that came out of this programme that would be well worth the investment.'

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300m bid to find new cancer cures by mapping our DNA: Unlocking genetic code could lead to faster and more accurate ...