[Concentration of cadmium in breast cancer tissue of women living in the Wielkopoiska region].

The research was carried out concerning the contents of cadmium in breast cancer tissues in 52 women aged 35-81 years (x = 67.62 +/- 12.43) living in the Wielkopolska region. Particular concentrations of this metal in the range of 0.01-1.08 mg/g wet wt. (x = 0.13 +/- 0.18) were found in all the studied specimens. The obtained results were assessed regarding the women's place of residence--Kalisz, Leszno, Pila or Poznan voivodships--and a particular living area: an industrialised town, other towns or villages of the Wielkopolska region. A statistically significant difference in the content of cadmium in breast cancer tissues was found in women inhabiting the Poznan and Pila voivodships. Moreover, marked differences were observed between the average cadmium concentrations in the breast cancer tissue samples in women living in the remaining voivodships and the types of living areas.