Scientists have finally been able to spot a gene that is behind causing ­aggressive breast cancer.

Every year about 4,000 cases take place due to the gene called ZNF703 or the ratio can also be put up as one out of 12. The growth rate of a cell is fastened and this makes daughter cells divide permanently.

Better treatments can take place due to the discovery and this discovery is the first of its kinds.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research’s information chief, said, “This is exciting and it’s a prime candidate for the ­development of new breast cancer drugs.”

It is thought that ZNF703 gene’s multiple copies can be there in a third of more aggressive estrogen positive breast cancers.

When needed, healthy cells are directed by oncogenes to divide. There is unstoppable multiplication of cancer in tumors as they are overactive.

ZNF703 gene has been described as a new oncogen by scientists from Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute and the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver who have concluded this with strong evidences.

Samples of 1,172 breast tumor that were estrogen receptor-positive were tested for their gene activity.

Researchers have noted that one in 12 breast cancers ZNF703 is overactive.