Nankabirwa had rare cancer - Mulago surgeon

By Cecilia Okoth

DR. Fualal Jane Odubu, a senior consultant surgeon at Mulago National Referral Hospital has said the type of cancer fallen television news anchor Rosemary Nankabirwa suffered is the first she came across during her 12 year service there.

Odubu said adrenocortical carcinoma cancer; a rare type of cancer that affects the adrenal gland is caused by Cushing's syndrome (a hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol that leads to weight gain, weak bones and diabetes).

"My first diagnosis, indicated that she had Cushing's syndrome and that is when I told my team, to prepare her for surgery. I knew this was not good news. This type of cancer did not respond to any treatment and had a poor outcome”, she said

Rebecca Kibirige (C) the deceased mother flanked by Rosemary's father said their daughter chose to keep a low profile while battling the illness. Photo by Juliet Kasirye

Odubu was giving a chronology of Nankabirwa’s case during a requiem mass held at Christ the King Church on Tuesday.

Aged 37, the deceased a former a news anchor at NTV was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Journalism and Communication at the University of London. She returned home in December complaining of ill health.

Rebecca Kibirige, a mother to the deceased said her daughter preferred to keep a low profile. 

Many of the fallen news anchor's former colleagues were in attendence. Photo by Juliet Kasirye 

Dr. Fualal Jane Odubu of Mulago Hospital said it was the first ever case of  adrenocortical carcinoma cancer she had encountered in her career. Photo by Juliet Kasirye

"We decided as a family to show her love such that she would fight the pain she was experiencing."

Rhoda Nabankema, Nankabirwa's best friend said her last message to her was to forgive and learn to love one another.

Burial is set for Wednesday at Kanoni in Lwengo.