Episode 15: Dr Andy Tay
If you could reduce your chance of dying from cancer by 28% would you?
AIRED: 09/02/2026
Watch the episode
Introduction
Here’s a fascinating statistic, studies from all over the world suggest a better educated person can add years to their life if they ever get cancer. And if you’re a guy in midlife, understanding why could literally save you. Education doesn’t cure cancer. Let’s be clear about that. A university degree won’t shrink a tumour. But here’s what research shows: people with higher education have significantly better cancer survival rates. We’re talking about a 28% reduction in mortality compared to those with the lowest education levels.
But here’s where it gets complicated: it’s not the education itself that’s protective. It’s everything that comes with it. Education is a marker—a signal of health literacy, access to information, ability to navigate complex systems, and the confidence to advocate for yourself when you’re terrified and sick.
This week’s episode of Don’t Let The Old Man In features Dr Andy Tay, a renowned cancer researcher who’s at the cutting edge of the latest treatments. In a fascinating conversation I had with him, he breaks down what the different types of cancer are and the new ways of treating them, scientific breakthroughs and how AI can help.
Why midlife men need to listen
Here’s what happens to a lot of men in midlife: you’re busy. There’s work pressure, family responsibilities, and if your body is sending you signals you’re ignoring them. You push through. It’s what guys do. Men with higher education are more likely to get screened, recognise warning signs early, and actually go to the doctor before it becomes stage four. It’s not because they’re smarter. It’s because the system rewards people who know how to work it.
What we discuss in this episode
Andy breaks down cancer in surprisingly simple terms. He explains that cancer is a disease of accumulated mutation—imagine copying a massive document 1,000 times. You’re bound to make errors. Our cells divide throughout our lives, rewriting DNA code each time, and errors accumulate. What transforms a healthy cell into a cancer cell isn’t one catastrophic event—it’s the gradual accumulation of copying errors over time.
We explore the fascinating paradox of modern medicine: cancer rates are rising, yet mortality rates are falling. We’re living longer, which gives our cells more time to accumulate mutations, but we’re also getting dramatically better at treating those cancers when they appear.
Andy introduces us to the revolutionary world of immunotherapy—our best hope for treating cancer. Unlike chemotherapy and radiation which poison or burn cancer cells, immunotherapy turns our immune cells into what he calls ‘super soldiers’ that can recognise and destroy cancer cells with precision. The story of Emily Whitehead, the first CAR T-cell patient who has been cancer-free for 13 years, illustrates why this approach is so powerful.
Key topics we cover:
- How cancer develops through accumulated mutations as our cells divide
- Why cancer rates are rising but mortality rates are falling
- The revolutionary potential of immunotherapy and CAR T-cell therapy
- How immune cells create memory and fight cancer throughout the body
- The connection between stress and cancer growth through the nervous system
- The role of AI in accelerating drug development and personalising treatment
- Why 70% of cancer risk is lifestyle-associated and what you can do about it
- Andy emphasises that whilst science is developing incredible treatments, we shouldn’t leave our health entirely in the hands of doctors. Personal responsibility remains crucial.
- This conversation is about empowering midlife men with knowledge and confidence to navigate one of life’s most challenging health issues.
Guest info
Dr Andy Tay is a Presidential Young Professor at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, where he serves as Principal Investigator at the Institute of Health Innovation & Technology and NUS Tissue Engineering Programme. His laboratory develops innovative materials and technologies to engineer immune cells, tissues and systems for preventing and treating cancer.
His groundbreaking work includes developing nano-electro-injection technology—using nanotubes 10,000 times smaller than a grain of rice to deliver DNA into immune cells with minimal stress, dramatically improving CAR T-cell therapy outcomes. Recognised internationally, Dr Tay was listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 (2019), named a World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2020), and in 2025 received the prestigious Young Scientist Award at Singapore’s President’s Science and Technology Awards. He has secured over $8.5 million in research funding and published 32 research papers as corresponding author.
Connect with Andy:
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