Read Time: 4 minutes
Takeaways:
- Multiple family cancer diagnoses shaped Skyler Johnson’s commitment to reducing suffering through science, honest communication, and patient autonomy.
- His research exposes how misinformation influences cancer decisions, reinforcing the need for clear, evidence-based guidance alongside compassionate care.
Impact: At Huntsman Cancer Institute, Johnson provides hope to his patients through the rare combination of cutting-edge research and deeply personalized care.
When Skyler Johnson, MD, thinks about cancer, he doesn’t just think like a doctor. He thinks like a husband, a brother, and a caregiver who has sat in waiting rooms, searched the internet for answers, and felt the sting of uncertainty that so many patients and families navigate every day.
“Reducing human suffering takes research and clean, honest information that helps patients make the best decision,” he says. “I remember being in the same situation as my patients, feeling overwhelmed by how much information there was and how hard it was to know what to trust.”
The Beginning: When Cancer Became Personal
More than a decade ago, Johnson was a medical student when his wife was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Like most people, they turned to the internet to understand their options and her prognosis.
Even as someone trained in science, he struggled to sort the reliable from the misleading.
“That experience planted something in me,” he says. “Patients are in a vulnerable state, filled with anxiety, and they’re trying to make the right choice. I’ve never forgotten that feeling.”
His wife went on to receive effective standard treatment and it worked. But the path wasn’t straightforward. Along the way, they encountered online advice urging them toward unproven therapies and away from evidence-based care.
It was a glimpse into what would ultimately become Johnson’s scientific calling: studying cancer misinformation and helping patients navigate the information landscape with clarity and compassion.
Research with Real-World Consequences
As Johnson moved into oncology, he noticed patients who turned down recommended treatments in favor of alternatives they read about online, sometimes with devastating consequences. He became one of the first researchers to publish on outcomes for patients who pursued non-recommended therapies and what led them to those decisions.
Today, his research team studies cancer misinformation and how clear communication can reduce harm. As one project summarized, “consider the source”—not all information is created equal, and patients deserve guidance, not gatekeeping.
For Johnson, research isn’t about data alone.
“It’s about autonomy,” he says. “People should have the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves.”
The Work of Caring
“I saw firsthand how treatment is not only about chemotherapy and surgery. It’s about giving someone enough hope to move through what they’re facing.”
During his first year practicing at Huntsman Cancer Institute, tragedy struck again. His sister and brother-in-law were both diagnosed with cancer. After they both passed away, Johnson and his wife adopted their then-4-year-old son.
His sister, however, found something essential during her treatment: hope. She met with pancreatic cancer specialists at Huntsman Cancer Institute where she received access to information on clinical trials and medication not available elsewhere.
“That gave her hope to carry on,” Johnson says. “I saw firsthand how treatment is not only about chemotherapy and surgery. It’s about giving someone enough hope to move through what they’re facing.”
Years later, he finds himself on the caregiver side again for his wife, who is being treated for breast cancer at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“The teams here are incredible,” he says. “It starts at the front desk and goes all the way to the nurses, janitorial services, every person who makes this place special. I’m proud to be part of that enterprise.”
Strength in Listening
Johnson talks often about the resilience of patients.
“I find hope in my interactions with patients,” he says. “Seeing their strength and how they approach their situation with such grace is humbling.”
He’s also learned that uncertainty is one of the hardest parts of cancer for families.
“Uncertainty leads to anxiety. Caregivers want control and I understand that deeply. I’ve been in that seat.”
As a physician, he doesn’t want patients to feel like their questions aren’t being heard.
“I’m happy to have as many discussions as they need,” he says. “Becoming comfortable with uncertainty takes time, but we can do that together.”
A Rare Combination
Johnson believes that Huntsman Cancer Institute is one of the few places where cutting-edge research and deeply human patient care are both prioritized.
“Lots of places excel at one of those things,” he says. “Here, you’re not a number. Treatment is personalized and your values and preferences matter. No single plan fits everyone.”
For Johnson, that alignment is personal. It’s why he works here. It’s why his family chooses to receive care here. And it’s why the next chapter of cancer care, from clinical trials to information integrity, matters so much.
What’s Your Why
Johnson treats cancer and studies cancer because he knows what it feels like to search for answers in fear. He knows what hope looks like when treatment works and what loss feels like when it doesn't. And he knows that a combination of cutting-edge research, compassionate communication, and trustworthy information can meaningfully reduce suffering.
“One day we’ll cure more cancers than we do today,” he says. “But until then, we have to give people the hope.”