By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON -- A Canton-Potsdam oncologist has adopted a new treatment for breast cancer that can cut visits by a third.

Dr. David Hauserstock says the traditional radiation treatment for breast cancer patients is roughly 30 treatments over six weeks, but a newer method allows that to be reduced to 20 treatments over four weeks.

“It’s an advanced accelerated treatment,” he said.

Hauerstock said the method involves using stronger doses of radiation at each visit, but the overall amount of radiation used is the same for both methods.

“It means less visits, which makes it easer for the patient, especially in the North Country where travel can be hard especially in the winter,” he said.

Less visits also means treatment is less expensive. Hauserstock said research has shown the newer method to be just as effective as the longer traditional treatment. He said research has also shown that there are no increased side effects from the stronger doses.

“It’s the same cure rate for a much shorter treatment,” he said.

Hauserstock said there are instances where the six-week treatment is still used, but that it is only better for certain body types.

“The traditional method is now the exception in my office, not the standard,” he said. “It speaks for itself, it’s shorter, it’s just as effective and it saves money for all parties,” he said.

Hauserstock said the cancer center at CPH has also received accreditation from the Cancer Treatment of America College of Radiology, which means CPH is operating at the highest level of national standards.

The CPH Cancer Center has also recently  received accreditation by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO).  "We are the only fully accredited  Cancer Center in St Lawrence County with this designation," said C-PH Interim Director of Oncology Services.

“It instills confidence in me and everyone that works here when someone comes in and finds we are meeting a high standard of care,” Hauserstock said.