Paloma Shemirani, a 23-year-old Cambridge student, died on July 24, 2024, after suffering a heart attack linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She had refused chemotherapy, believing her diagnosis was false.
Doctors discovered a lung mass in 2023, but Paloma called the cancer diagnosis an “absurd fantasy” with “no proof.” Instead, she followed an alternative therapy involving a strict diet, supplements, and enemas—known as Gerson therapy. Cancer experts warn there is no scientific proof that this method works.
At the ongoing inquest, Paloma’s statements revealed she believed her human rights had been violated by doctors. “I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me,” she wrote, also voicing concerns about fertility.
Her mother, Kate Shemirani, a former NHS nurse struck off in 2021 for spreading misinformation, strongly influenced Paloma’s choices. Paloma’s brothers told the BBC they believe “conspiracy theories” led to her death.
The inquest continues as the family and medical professionals seek answers.
