'Anti-vax' woman died after refusing chemotherapy

Paloma died aged 23 from a heart attack caused by her tumour

A woman who died after refusing treatment for cancer told a court she was "anti-vax", an inquest has heard.

Paloma Shemirani, who had declined chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, suffered a fatal heart attack caused by her tumour at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) on 24 July last year.

The 23-year-old's mother Kay (Kate) Shemirani, who shared Covid conspiracy theories on social media, has blamed doctors' interventions for her daughter's death.

Paloma had also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners, likening it to what the Nazis did during WWII, the inquest was told at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent.

In previous written statements - submitted to the family division of the High Court in spring 2024 and read out at the hearing on Monday - she described the alleged violations as akin to experiments carried out at Auschwitz.

Paloma, who grew up in Uckfield, East Sussex, denied even having non-Hodgkin lymphoma, calling it an "absurd fantasy, with no proof".

The Cambridge graduate described the diagnosis as "suspected and unconfirmed", adding that she had a "background in natural healing".

In addition, she feared that if she were to survive chemotherapy it might make her infertile.

"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 said.

Kate Shemirani styles herself as "the Natural Nurse" on social media

She described her mother, who was struck off as a nurse in 2021, as "an extremely forceful advocate for natural health" who was often "misquoted".

Paloma had turned to Gerson therapy - a strict organic vegetarian diet involving enemas - on the advice of her mother's ex-fiancee, Dr Patrick Villers, though Cancer Research UK said there was no scientific evidence of it being an effective treatment.

The proceedings, which involve Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and heard how Paloma had said she was "delighted" with her alternative treatment and "sure" she would "make a full recovery" if left to continue it.

The inquest, led by coroner Catherine Wood, continues.

Additional reporting from PA Media.