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New psychology professor plans cancer study with McLeod Health

Marlena Ryba, assistant professor of psychology, joined Coastal Carolina University in Fall 2017 after serving as the post-doctoral researcher at the Stress and Immunity Cancer Projects Laboratory at Ohio State University for three years. Her specific area of expertise is in oncology and behavioral medicine, and her primary interests of research include psychosocial aspects of cancer, psychotherapy outcome research and dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments. 

Over the summer, Ryba co-wrote an article for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on the importance of recognizing anxiety and depression among cancer patients, and did a subsequent podcast for the ASCO Daily News on the same subject. 

Since then, Ryba has put together a study in collaboration with McLeod Health that will evaluate an online treatment for cancer patients with depression. Five CCU students will assist with the study. She says depression is the most common psyhciatric disorder among cancer patients, with rates as high as 50 percent.

"Treating depression in cancer patients has been shown to improve patients' quality of life, and some studies stuggest that it can also improve the course of the disease," Ryba said.

Her study will be the first to examine online treatment for depression in cancer patients, but will also provide a service to local patients.

"My hope is that this project will have a positive impact on the community and also provide our students with a valuale clinical and research experience," she said.

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