British ‘anti-vaxxer’, 23, died from cancer after refusing chemotherapy
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing
An inquest into the death of a 23-year-old student has revealed that she had refused chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Paloma Shemirani passed away on 24 July, 2024 after suffering a fatal heart attack, which is believed to have been caused by her non-Hodgkin lymphoma at Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH).
Paloma was diagnosed with the disease in late 2023 after doctors discovered a mass on her lung; however, the University of Cambridge student is said to have rejected her cancer diagnosis, calling it an 'absurd fantasy, with no proof'.
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An inquest into the student's death is currently taking place in Kent, with evidence revealing that Paloma had insisted on following an alternative treatment plan and claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in a series of statements, which were read out to the court.
"I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with," read one statement.
The statements also referred to Paloma's mother Kate Shemirani, who she allegedly took advice from when ill.
"If I became ill, I’ve always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist," read one statement.
A former NHS nurse, Kate was struck off from the profession in 2021 after spreading misinformation online about Covid-19.
She and her ex-husband Faramarz Shemirani have previously claimed the health service was at fault for their daughter's death.
Paloma's brothers Gabriel and Sebastian have also previously spoken out about the influence Kate had on their younger sister's treatment, telling the BBC they believed her death was a result of 'conspiracy theories'.
Foregoing chemotherapy, Paloma instead decided to follow an alternative treatment known as Gerson therapy, which involves patients following an organic vegetarian diet, consuming supplements and having regular enemas.
According to advice from Cancer Research UK, there is currently no scientific evidence to support its use as a treatment for cancer.
"I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma," Paloma had written in another statement, which continued: "I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof."
"I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer," she added, as well as previously expressing concern over chemotherapy affecting her fertility.
Paloma also stated that she was 'anti-vax' and even made reference to Nazi doctor Josef Mengele when claiming that NHS doctors had violated her rights.
The inquest continues.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
Brenna Cooper