A Tragic Case of Refusing Medical Treatment
An anti-vaxxer mother, who has been linked to her daughter’s death from cancer after encouraging her to avoid conventional treatments, recently appeared at an inquest and showed no signs of changing her views. Paloma Shemirani, a 23-year-old Cambridge graduate and model, passed away last July after refusing medical help for her treatable non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
Paloma’s mother, Kate Shemirani, is known for her strong anti-medicine beliefs. She was removed from the UK nursing register in 2021 due to her extreme views, including discouraging the use of masks and vaccines during the pandemic. At the inquest into Paloma’s death, Mrs. Shemirani participated online and continued to express her controversial opinions.
During the proceedings, Mrs. Shemirani referred to her daughter’s cancer as a “purported diagnosis” and questioned the evidence being considered by the Coroner, Catherine Wood. She frequently interrupted the court session, making her points despite the coroner’s attempts to maintain order.
Paloma had initially received a positive prognosis, with an 80% chance of survival. However, she died just seven months after her diagnosis after deciding against treatment. Her two brothers and former boyfriend have claimed that Paloma was influenced by her mother to reject medical assistance, a claim that their mother denies.
Gabriel, Paloma’s twin brother, and her former boyfriend Ander were present at the inquest. The hearing included testimony from Dr. Mohan, a haematology consultant who described how Paloma was diagnosed and the treatment plan that was created.
Paloma was first admitted to the emergency department on October 4, 2023, with symptoms such as chest pain, fever, and a lump in her neck. She was later admitted on December 3 and underwent an emergency CT scan the following day. A biopsy confirmed her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with a large mass found near her sternum.
Dr. Mohan explained that the standard treatment plan involved six cycles of chemotherapy, along with steroids, radiotherapy, and stents. He also mentioned that fertility preservation was discussed before starting treatment. Paloma was given an 80% chance of survival, which was considered excellent.
However, after meeting with Dr. Mohan on December 22, Paloma reportedly changed her mind about proceeding with treatment. She explored unconventional options instead. Dr. Mohan expressed surprise at her decision and noted that she had not made up her mind about continuing with the treatment. He also mentioned that she did not disclose her concerns about the side effects of steroids or the PET scan.
It is understood that Paloma’s father, Faramarz, also believes in conspiracy theories but was not present at the inquest. Gabriel and his brother Sebastian have publicly stated that their sister’s death was a result of her refusal to undergo chemotherapy due to pressure from their mother.
The brothers claim that their mother sought to isolate Paloma from her family, boyfriend, and friends. They also allege that Paloma sent messages suggesting she was being abused by her mother, although these claims are denied by Kate.
Kate, who describes herself as a “natural nurse” on social media, promotes Gerson therapy, which involves a vegan diet, natural juices, coffee enemas, and supplements. Paloma followed this approach and suffered a cardiac arrest while at her mother’s house. She later died when life support was withdrawn at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Gabriel and Sebastian are calling for legal changes to address the influence of conspiracy theories in cases of coercive control. They believe that Paloma, despite being an adult, was not in a position to make informed decisions due to the pressure from her parents.
They also advocate for stricter regulations to prevent unqualified individuals from falsely claiming to be doctors or nurses. The inquest continues, highlighting the complex issues surrounding medical decision-making and the impact of personal beliefs on health outcomes.
