In July 2024, Paloma Shemirani, a 23-year-old woman from the UK, sadly passed away after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a highly treatable type of cancer. Her story has since become a cautionary tale about the devastating effects of medical misinformation and the powerful influence of family beliefs.
Paloma died last year aged 23 (Gabriel & Sebastian Shemirani/BBC)
Paloma, who had a strong chance of recovery with conventional treatment, chose instead to pursue alternative therapies. Her regime included a strict plant-based diet, juices, supplements, and even coffee enemas — all in the belief she could heal naturally. Unfortunately, she died of a heart attack caused by cancer just seven months after her diagnosis.
A Family Divided by Belief
Paloma’s mother, Kate Shemirani, has been a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine and alternative medicine community. Struck off as a registered nurse in 2021, Kate has promoted conspiracy theories about the NHS and Covid-19 vaccines, frequently on social media.
Kate Shemirani is known for sharing conspiracy theories (Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
According to BBC Panorama, her children Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani believe their sister’s death was directly influenced by their mother’s beliefs. They’ve publicly spoken out, hoping to raise awareness about the real dangers of misinformation.
“My sister passed away as a direct consequence of my mum’s actions and beliefs,” Sebastian told the BBC.
Her boyfriend at the time, Ander Harris, also claimed that Kate had sent messages warning Paloma not to consent to any form of treatment, including chemotherapy.
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Safeguarding Concerns Ignored
While hospital staff raised concerns about Kate’s influence, they were limited in action. Since Paloma was legally an adult, she had the right to make her own medical decisions, even if they went against professional advice.
Paloma denied having cancer altogether, calling the diagnosis an “absurd fantasy.” She also compared NHS practices to Nazi Germany, claiming her human rights were being violated — statements that came up during the official inquest.
A Call for Change
Paloma’s brothers are now on a mission to prevent other families from experiencing similar losses. Gabriel stated:
“I wasn’t able to stop my sister from dying. But it would mean the world to me if I could make sure she wasn’t just another name on a growing list.”
The Bigger Picture
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the real-world consequences of conspiracy theories, particularly those that target science-based medicine. It raises the importance of responsible health education and the role of platforms in limiting harmful content.
For more accurate health information, visit trusted resources like NHS.uk or Cancer Research UK.
