Norman B. San Agustin, M.D.
DLSU GS 1958, DLSU HS 1962
2019
DLSAA Lasallian Achievement Awardee
for his trailblazing work on breast cancer treatment founded on innovative methods and compassionate means that ensure women's survival and triumph over the disease
Dr. San Agustin has four and a half decades
of experience in his field, having worked in the
U.S. as a breast surgeon. He is a fellow of the
American College of Surgeons and runs his
practice at the Morristown Medical Center in New
Jersey. San Agustin was also the chairman of the
Comprehensive Cancer Care Program and the
Breast Cancer Program at Saint Clare’s Hospital.
With his colleagues, he helped set up the Asian
Breast Center in the Philippines which is dedicated
to providing high-quality yet affordable treatment to
middle-class and low-income patients. It is the first
in the country to feature revolutionary treatment
methods such as Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
(IORT). This cutting-edge medical technology
allows doctors to administer a single dose
of radiation for only half an hour following a
lumpectomy.
The center also offers Molecular Breast Imaging
(MBI) which can detect early signs of breast cancer
in all types of patients. This is an improvement
over mammograms which have limited detection
range compared to MBI.
In fact, the Asian Breast Center is one of the few
in the world that features this technology. Thanks
to his efforts, Dr. San Agustin has made a great
difference in many women’s lives and saved them
from the threat of breast cancer.