BOSTON -- There's a new treatment for early stage breast cancer. As Mary Saladna reported Thursday, doctors say the therapy is safer than traditional radiation.

Margaret Economos returned to Rhode Island Hospital for a follow-up after undergoing a new treatment for early stage breast cancer.

VIDEO: New Treatment For Early Stage Breast Cancer

"I was the first one in Rhode Island to have this procedure done and so far everything is wonderful," said Economos, a breast cancer survivor.

The treatment is known as axxent electronic brachytherapy therapy. Rhode Island Hospital is among the first in the nation to offer it to patients. Oncologist Brigid O'Connor headed up the clinical trials. She said an electronic X-ray tube is inside that catheter. It delivers a highly concentrated amount of radiation directly to where the tumor once was, limiting exposure to healthy areas.

"This device is just treating the tumor bed cavity plus an area around it. The lung and heart receive very little dose, so it is a safer form of treatment," she said.

And there are fewer side effects for the patients.

"I had no side effects whatsoever. I was able to eat normally and sleep. I had no trouble," said Economos.

The treatment time is much shorter with this therapy. Only one week, as opposed to up to seven weeks with conventional radiation.

"I came twice a day for five days and had the treatment, and after the five days they took the balloon out on a Friday and I was all done," Economos said.

She was back at work three weeks later. And now six months after treatment, Economos is cancer-free.

"I wanted this to just be a little blip in my life so I could get back to work and that's what it ended up being," she said.