Holiday in Jamaica Leads to Life-Saving Cancer Treatment at Adventist Hospital

Jamaican surgeon’s robotic surgery helps Canadian patient beat prostate cancer discovered on vacation.

May 1, 2025 | Kingston, Jamaica | Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher and IAD News Staff

Steve Lawrence, 45, never imagined that a spontaneous decision during a holiday in Montego Bay would change the course of his life. What began as a relaxing family getaway turned into a pivotal moment when he opted, on a whim, to take a PSA test for prostate cancer–a disease that had long haunted him due to a strong family history. The results confirmed his worst fear: early-stage prostate cancer.

Returning home to Canada offered little relief. The healthcare system was still reeling in the wake of the pandemic, and despite his efforts to find top-tier surgeons in both Canada and the U.S., Lawrence was met with long waitlists and limited treatment options.

Hope arrived through an unexpected conversation between his wife and UK-trained surgeon specializing in minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Roy McGregor. “In that moment, everything shifted,” Steve recalls. “My wife spoke with Dr. McGregor and immediately knew we had found the right person.”

In May 2023, at Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited in Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. McGregor performed a Collaborative Robot (Cobot) Assisted Laparoscopic, Nerve-sparing Radical Prostatectomy—a highly precise and minimally invasive surgery involving the use of a mechanical robotic arm controlled by the surgeon. The procedure is associated with minimal blood loss and leaves barely visible scars. “The following day I was up walking around with minimal pain,” shared Lawrence. Within weeks, he had returned to work. Lawrence remains cancer-free, with preserved continence and potency.

This was a medical breakthrough—made possible through the surgical expertise and advanced laparoscopic technology available in Jamaica. Leading the charge is Dr. Roy McGregor and his team, whose skill and dedication are transforming prostate cancer care for patients at home and abroad.

Dr. McGregor’s journey to becoming Jamaica’s only expert in laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery began at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica, where he was born. As a youth, he attended Mona Preparatory School and Campion College. He then left Jamaica to pursue medical studies at St. Mary’s Medical School in London, earning his Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees.

His passion for research led him to obtain a Medical Doctorate (MD) from the University of London which involved research at Mount Sinai in New York. There he contributed to groundbreaking work on prostate cancer, developing a method to detect one cancer cell in a million normal cells—a technique later published in an international peer-reviewed journal.

After completing general surgical training, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Ireland (FRCS). He subsequently completed the Imperial Urology training in London obtaining a FRCS in urology. He remains on the specialist register in the UK as a consultant urological surgeon. After 20 years working in England, he completed a two-and-a-half-year fellowship in Australia, expanding his expertise in laparoscopic prostate and kidney surgery including kidney stones and transplant surgeries. Dr. McGregor has also been trained in the use of the Da Vinci Surgical Robot in Europe.

Pioneering Laparoscopic Prostate Cancer Surgery in Jamaica

Dr. McGregor is the only surgeon performing Cobot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostate Cancer Surgery in Jamaica, and to date, has performed approximately 200 such cases.

He explained that this is procedure involves making five tiny incisions instead of one large cut, drastically reducing blood loss, pain, and recovery time: “In open surgery, blood loss can be over a liter but with laparoscopy blood loss is usually about 200 milliliters and sometimes as little as under 100 milliliters,” said McGregor.

“Consequently, many Jehovah Witnesses come to me.” The majority of his patients regain complete urinary control and maintain erectile function post-surgery.  Only one to two percent of urologists worldwide perform laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery.

Dr. McGregor credits much of his success to his mentor, Professor Christopher Eden, a pioneer in laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery in England. When they met in Australia, Dr. McGregor shared his vision of bringing this technique to Jamaica. Professor Eden agreed to mentor him, traveling to Jamaica every three to four months for three years to help him refine his skills through intensive case training. “He was one of the best in England, and I was very lucky he took the time to train me.”

Upon arriving at Cornwall Regional Hospital, Dr. McGregor raised over US$130,000 to purchase the necessary equipment for minimally invasive surgeries. He served as head of the Urology Department there for over 10 years.

He now has an office at Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited, 27 Hope Road, Kingston where he serves as the Chief of Urology, committed to building a center of excellence in prostate cancer care.

The Future of Surgery in Jamaica

Cobot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is not just an emerging option—it represents the future of surgical care in Jamaica. While the cost may be slightly higher than traditional procedures, the benefits in precision, recovery time, and overall outcomes make it a worthwhile investment in long-term health.

Dr. McGregor’s work is far from complete, but his mission remains clear:
“To inform Jamaicans that advanced surgical care is available right here at home.”

For more information, visit www.premiumurology.com