Media Release
Date: 4 February 2026
Brothers have same robotic cancer surgery just weeks apart
Two brothers who underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer within just weeks of each other at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, have called on men with a family history of the cancer to get themselves checked.
David and Robert Taylor both had successful robotic radical prostatectomies, carried out by the surgical urology team using the RUH's Da Vinci surgical robot.
A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue to treat prostate cancer. It's the primary treatment for prostate cancer that hasn't spread beyond the prostate.
Robert, 67, from Saltford, had his surgery in mid July 2025, while David, 70, from Midsomer Norton, followed just a few weeks later, at the start of September.
Robert said: "I went to see my GP for a general check-up and while I was there he suggested that I have a PSA test." A PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is a blood test to help check for prostate conditions such as prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate.
"The reading came back high so I was quickly referred to the RUH. I spoke to my brother about it and that's when he decided to get a test done."
David said: "Our father and uncle both had prostate cancer, so when Robert had his test done and it came back with a high reading I decided to get one done too. My reading was also high so, like Robert, I was referred straight to the RUH.
"You have a higher chance of getting prostate cancer if you have a history of that type of cancer in your family. So if that's you, please do get yourself a GP appointment and get checked."
The brothers both had surgery using the RUH's Da Vinci surgical robot, which has been funded by the hospital's charity, RUHX.
The robot helps RUH surgeons to operate on patients with even greater precision, and perform complex procedures with minimal access, while ensuring the highest levels of patient safety.
Thanks to the precision and accuracy provided by the robot, recovery times are improved too, meaning Robert was able to be discharged home the same day as his surgery.
"It was incredible to think that I'd just had major surgery and could get home the same day," he said. "There was no pressure to get home that day but I felt able to and the medical team were happy for me to get back to familiar surroundings and recover there.
"So my stay at the RUH was actually very brief, but I had a very positive experience from start to finish, the staff were first class."
David, who stayed at the RUH for one night after his operation, said: "The care I received was magnificent. The consultants, surgeons, nurses - everyone I came into contact with were so caring and supportive."
As part of the BSW Hospitals Group, the RUH, along with the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury District Hospital, now use robots in a range of surgeries including urology, gynaecology oncology and colorectal operations.
Anyone with a prostate gland can be at risk of prostate cancer. You can find out more about the symptoms and treatment of prostate cancer on the NHS website:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer
ENDS