Graduate who died after refusing chemotherapy ‘told court she was anti-vax'
Paloma Shemirani, 23, died at Royal Sussex County Hospital on July 24 2024 after declining the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
She said she always turned to her mother first for health advice.
Her mother, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, rose to prominence on social media while sharing Covid -19 conspiracy theories, the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, heard previously.
In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma said she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday.
The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it, the inquest was told.
She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in the statements, which were read by lawyer Alison Hewitt.
Ms Shemirani, who attended the inquest via video link, weeped and held pictures of Paloma to the camera as they were read.
It said: '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.
'I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water.
'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol.
'If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist.
'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'.
She also described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'.
Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding that she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously.
Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy' and that she is 'anti-vax'.
She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiance, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised.
Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer.
Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said.
The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'.
She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out.
Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard.
'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.
The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12.
'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said.
'These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the Second World War. How could this happen today?', it continued.
Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz.
The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with – including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm – had subsided.
Coroner Catherine Wood reprimanded Ms Shemirani multiple times during proceedings.
Ms Shemirani cross-examined Dr Amit Goel, a consultant histopathologist at Maidstone Hospital who carried out a biopsy.
She repeatedly put to him that insufficient tissue was taken to carry out a FISH test that could rule out other diseases and alter Paloma's treatment plan.
The doctor denied that this would have influenced Paloma's care multiple times, and the coroner told Ms Shemirani the inquest is trying to look at 'how Paloma came about her death' but 'you are apparently trying to get information which is incorrect, factually incorrect, in the statements you are making'.
'I think your questions are just designed to take up time and delay matters by the way you're asking them repeatedly,' she added.
The mother accused participants of mis-pronouncing her name, which eventually led Ms Wood to say: 'I am going to rise, for Ms Shemirani to reflect on her behaviour in court, this is unacceptable.
'Let's have a pause for tempers to die down because you are clearly becoming over-fixated on a detail.'
At the opening of the hearing Ms Shemirani made an application for a lawyer to recuse herself.
The coroner rejected the application and said had seen the 'hundreds of emails that have been sent in' and that 'you have requested that everybody recuse themselves at various times', including the coroner herself.
The inquest continues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
18 minutes ago
- Metro
British woman trapped in US due to insurance after 'life-changing' fall
A British woman who suffered 'life-changing' injuries during a hiking fall in the US has now fallen victim to insurance and is trapped abroad as a result. Charlotte Hollins Anderton, from Abergele, north Wales, plummeted 30ft while celebrating Independence Day with children from the summer camp she works in. The 23-year-old endured an eight-hour wait to be rescued – with a fractured spine, two shattered feet and internal bleeding. She required numerous operations, intensive care treatment and on top of it, emotional trauma from the incident, which took place on July 4. If her suffering was not enough, her family now say her insurance coverage has been turned down. This means Charlotte now faces a bill of £45,000 to bring her back home to the UK. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist in repatriating her and so far, more than £16,000 have been raised. A statement on the website reads: 'Our beautiful Charlotte was tragically involved in a life changing accident whilst working as a camp leader this summer.' 'She has suffered a life threatening fall on July 4 and has been hospitalised since. 'Her fall resulted in spinal and foot fractures requiring multiple surgeries, internal bleeding and admission to the intensive care unit. 'She is also dealing with intense emotional trauma from the fall, and it breaks our hearts that we can't be there to help. 'But on top of all of the unimaginable pain and suffering, while we have been deciding what to do as a family, we were just hit with another worry that her insurance company will not be covering the cost of repatriation from America to back home. 'She urgently needs to come home for her to access specialist care via the NHS and continue her recovery with family by her side.' The family explained that they never thought they would find themselves in such a situation, but all they want 'is to have Charlotte home'. More Trending The statement added: 'We will be keeping everyone updated every step of the way, and thank you all so much already for your kind words, promises of donations and support. 'It means more to us than you could imagine. Thank you so much.' Charlotte – a University of York St John graduate from a Professional Policing course – spent last summer at YMCA Camp Seymour in Gig Harbor, Washington. She had returned as a camp leader for a second year in a row when the fall took place. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: World's first gonorrhea vaccination programme to be rolled out in England MORE: British man killed after hair transplant in Turkey was 'inspiring teacher' MORE: Paralysed mum 'stuck in hell' after hospital staff 'refused to wash her'
Times
18 minutes ago
- Times
The ten ways cardiologists avoid heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains one of the biggest killers in the UK, responsible for more than 66,000 deaths a year, with one person dying every eight minutes from the condition. It is the single biggest killer disease for men — one in eight dying from CHD — but the mistaken perception that heart attacks are not a big risk for women costs lives. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer, with signs from studies that cases are rising among women under the age of 65. The BHF forecasts there could be one million more people living with heart disease in the UK by 2030. We are all aware of basic matters of the heart, that its normal healthy functioning can be harmed by big risk factors such as smoking and drinking, being overweight and underactive, making poor dietary choices and having high blood pressure. Over time, one or more of these can contribute to the narrowing of the arteries as fatty materials (called atheroma) such as cholesterol accumulate inside them. It is when arteries become narrowed by plaque to the extent that blood flow to the heart and brain is restricted that heart disease is diagnosed. • How to protect your heart — the cardiologist's guide Yet most cases — about 70 per cent according to the BHF — are preventable and cardiologists are convinced that if more of us were aware of the simple steps we can take to reduce our risk, the death toll would fall. 'By managing their lifestyle risk factors and keeping tabs on health, people can dramatically reduce their risk of heart disease,' says Oliver Guttman, consultant cardiologist at the HCA Wellington Hospital in London. 'This is true even for those who currently feel well, as early metabolic changes often occur silently.' So, what are the rules for heart disease prevention? Here, Guttman and Hannah Douglas, consultant cardiologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, spell out their evidence-based recommendations for warding off CHD. Blood pressure is one of the most important controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, yet hypertension is ignored or remains undiagnosed. A normal or ideal adult blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. 'Blood pressure is critically important and is truly a 'silent killer',' Douglas says. 'High blood pressure puts the entire vascular system under constant pressure and is a very significant risk factor for heart disease.' Having your blood pressure checked by your local pharmacy free of charge is the first step to take. Also investing in a home DIY monitor is an option and the BHF has a list of approved devices Blood pressure does ebb and flow, so a one-off high reading is usually nothing to worry about, but if it remains high for two or three weeks, see your doctor or nurse. 'Weight management and regular exercise are two of the easiest lifestyle methods that we know help to manage blood pressure,' Douglas says. 'But sustained high blood pressure should always be treated to reduce risk.' Wearable devices such as smartwatches with ECG features, such as the Apple Watch and Fitbit, can be useful for detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke and can contribute to heart failure. 'For people over 65 or those with symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness, these tools may help flag episodes of AFib early,' Guttman says. 'Do be aware that they can also give false positives, so any alerts should be followed up with proper clinical assessment.' Routine monitoring for most under-65s is not necessary, he says, but if you are concerned about AFib speak to your GP. 'These trackers are best thought of as screening tools, not diagnostic devices, and their usefulness increases with age,' Guttman says. Measuring cholesterol and blood triglycerides — or your lipid profile — should be done every 4 to 6 years and considered at low risk of CHD, Guttman says. 'You will need to have it checked more often if your lipid profile is abnormal, you are genetically at a high risk of raised cholesterol or if you are on medication,' he says. • Read more expert advice on healthy living, fitness and wellbeing Finger-prick cholesterol checks can be carried out by your GP or your local pharmacy, or as part of the NHS health check in England. According to the BHF, below 4mmol/L (below 2.6mmol/L if you have had a heart attack) is a healthy level of non-HDL, bad cholesterol, the type that builds up in your arteries. Above 1mmol/L is a healthy level of good HDL cholesterol for men and above 1.2mmol/L is a healthy level for women. Healthy total cholesterol levels are below 5mmol/L, (4mmol/L if you've had a heart attack). 'Chronic inflammation is one of the key drivers of atherosclerosis, the plaque build-up in arteries,' Guttman says. 'A diet rich in anti-inflammatory, whole foods is ideal for helping to prevent this and is not only heart-protective but supports gut health, brain function, and long-term weight management.' He recommends a Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats, particularly extra virgin olive oil, and nuts, and a regular consumption of fish and seafood, which are high in heart-healthy omega-3 fats. A review of clinical evidence in the journal Nutrients showed the approach is beneficial in reducing inflammation that is a risk factor for CHD. 'By also reducing or eliminating ultraprocessed, pre-packaged foods such as ready meals from the diet, we instead use more whole ingredients to cook at home, so it is an important step to take,' Douglas says. 'Whole food ingredients are going to be largely anti-inflammatory provided we balance the food groups and take care with not adding too much extra fat and salt.' Given its benefits for muscles, bones and the waistline, there is a trend for favouring weight training over cardiovascular exercise among the over-50s. But Douglas stresses that one is not necessarily better than the other for the heart. 'I tend to advise a 50:50 mix of cardio and light weight training for optimum cardiovascular health,' Douglas says. 'Weight training has many benefits for blood pressure, general vascular health and bone density, but keeping active with cardiovascular, or aerobic, exercise is amazing for heart rate and blood pressure optimisation, weight management and has the secondary benefits of reducing the risk of other conditions such as type 2 diabetes which, in itself, is closely linked with poor heart health.' Guttman says that, as a minimum, we should aim for the government targets of at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. 'A mix of the two offers the best protection for cardiovascular and overall health,' he says. Being overweight is a risk factor for CHD, but central adiposity — fat around the middle — is generally more telling than the scales. Getting a tape measure out every 4-6 weeks is the best approach. 'The body mass index [BMI] is still commonly used, but it doesn't reflect body composition or fat distribution,' Guttman says. 'For most people, keeping an eye on waist circumference is the easiest and most reliable way to monitor central fat, which is metabolically harmful and strongly linked to CHD risk.' High-risk waist measurements are over 102cm (40in) for men and over 88cm (35in) for women, although the numbers shouldn't be taken in isolation. 'We are all built so differently with different compositions of body fat and muscle,' Douglas says. 'We know that waist circumference has been linked with cardiovascular risk, so is definitely a useful gauge, but for those at higher risk of CHD an approach agreed between you and your clinician is best.' Sleep is a key component in managing general health. 'There are very few conditions, medical, physical and psychological, that aren't worsened by poor sleep,' Douglas says. 'And this definitely includes heart disease.' Poor or insufficient sleep is associated with high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes and irregular heart rhythm, all of which are risk factors for CHD. 'Sleep apnoea, which causes pauses in breathing during sleep, is another serious and underdiagnosed condition that significantly raises cardiovascular risk,' Guttman says. 'Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep per night and prioritising a regular sleep schedule, reducing evening screen time, and managing stress can all help improve your sleep and consequently support heart health.' Smoking remains one of the most powerful preventable risk factors for heart disease. 'It damages the arteries, increases blood pressure, promotes blood clotting, and accelerates plaque build-up,' Guttman says. 'Even light or occasional 'social' smoking and passive smoking increase CHD risk.' There is no safe form of smoking. Research presented to the American Heart Association by cardiologists at the University of Wisconsin reported significant negative heart health impacts after vaping and smoking cigarettes. • Heart disease — the six things to consider to protect yourself Immediately after vaping or smoking, increases in blood pressure, heart rate and blood vessel constriction were identified, and people who used e-cigarettes consistently performed worse than non-nicotine users on treadmill exercise tests used to predict CHD risk. 'I do worry about the long-term effects of vaping,' Douglas says. 'Although easier said than done, all smokers need to work their hardest to become ex-smokers, with any support available.' The heart benefits of quitting begin within days, and over time, the risk of CHD can fall to near that of a non-smoker. Most CHD risk comes from a combination of genes and lifestyle. If you have a family history of heart disease, Guttman says you should always discuss with your GP or cardiologist whether additional testing is appropriate for you. 'Genetic testing can be helpful, especially in cases of strong family history of premature heart disease [heart attack or stroke before age 55 in men or 65 in women],' he says. 'Certain inherited conditions, such as familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is characterised by very high levels of non-HDL cholesterol in the blood, greatly increase heart disease risk and often go undiagnosed without testing.' However, routine genetic screening is not recommended. 'In asymptomatic patients it often raises more questions than it answers unfortunately,' Douglas says. And even if you do have a genetic predisposition, there is no escaping the truth that healthy behaviours — not smoking, regular exercise, a balanced diet — will significantly reduce your CHD risk. 'Always discuss concerns with your GP or cardiologist, who will help to determine whether testing is appropriate for you,' Douglas says. Women — be extra aware of symptoms around the menopause Menopause is a key window for reassessing heart health and 'it's an ideal time for women to get their blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checked to ensure they're on track for the years ahead,' Guttman says. Some of the symptoms associated with the perimenopause and menopause, including sweating, palpitations, breathlessness, intolerance of exercise and panic attacks, are also symptoms of heart disease and, as such, can get overlooked. 'Understanding signs that can be associated with fluctuating hormone levels is key to recognising the difference between perimenopause and, for example, a cardiac arrhythmia,' Douglas says. 'Women should always seek medical help for worrying symptoms early. And if not satisfied with the outcome, seek a second opinion.' HRT isn't prescribed to prevent CHD, but it may play a helpful role in managing menopausal symptoms in some women. For some of those under 60 or within 10 years of their menopause who are otherwise healthy, it might improve quality of life as well as improving some metabolic risk factors. 'I am a proponent of HRT for many peri and post-menopausal women for whom benefit outweighs risk,' Douglas says. However, HRT is not suitable for everyone, particularly women with a history of stroke, blood clots, or known CHD. 'Decisions about HRT should be personalised, weighing the risks and benefits with a healthcare professional,' Guttman says.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Bodybuilder diagnosed with bowel cancer wants earlier screening
A bodybuilder who was told he might die before he turned 40 after his bowel cancer was missed has said the screening age for the disease must be 2022, Mat Dean, then 39, trained hard for a bodybuilding show but behind the image of perfection, he was seriously unwell."I looked great, I felt great at that time. But little did I know I had a cancerous tumour inside me that was going to try and kill me," said Mat, from has since had multiple surgeries after cancer spread to his bladder and liver but said he was "fortunate" he was "here to tell the tale". The Welsh government said it followed national guidance on screening. Mat's symptoms started the year before when he would have sporadic, severe stomach pain and find some blood when he had been to the was examined by a GP who said it was probably due to a small tear caused by lifting weights and sent him home. By the following year the symptoms returned and when he lost a stone while on an all-inclusive holiday, it was the concerning trigger to get checked again."I had read up on bowel conditions - things it could be like Crohn's, IBS, there's a list of things and cancer is on your list but not at 39 years old" said time Mat, who was a landscape gardener before his illness meant he could no longer work, was sent for a scan which quickly revealed a large tumour in his bowel that had also spread to his liver. "I cried when I was first told and then I just sat there like 'is this really happening'?"Telling his partner Holly was one of the most difficult moments, who was at home with their five-month-old daughter Willow when he got the diagnosis."In the beginning I think I was in denial, I didn't want anyone knowing, I didn't want it to be gossip," recalled Holly."Anger I felt too - it was a really whirlwind time with a new baby." Mat's initial surgery had to be changed because the cancer had spread to his February 2023 he underwent a second, major surgery to remove the tumour and his bladder, leaving him with two stoma bags, one linked to his bowel and one to his bladder."I was in a world of hurt and I have never seen so many tubes and machines in all my life. I didn't even realise the human body could handle so many things sewn into it but it kept me alive." Earlier this year he had surgery to reverse the stoma bag linked to his bowel but the other remains, something Mat admits he struggled with, particularly on a recent holiday where people stared as he sat by the pool."I was always the guy with the top off in the garden - quite proud of my shape. It's taken a long time for me to take my top off and expose them."But this is the card I have been dealt, I have got to learn to live with it. The bag is a part of me." The latest figures from Public Health Wales show 241 under-54s were diagnosed with bowel cancer, also called colorectal cancer, in 2021, out of a total of 2,654 across all ages.A report in a medical journal at the end of last year found that rates in younger people were rising - something Mat's surgeon, Martyn Evans from Swansea Bay health board has noticed."I've been a consultant for nearly 13 years now and when I look back to my training I have to say it was rare to see a patients under 50 with colorectal cancer. "Worldwide there is a phenomenon that colorectal cancer in the under 50s is getting more common."It's a phenomenon that we don't really understand but it's a worrying concern because what we do know is that when patients who are younger present, often they are presenting at a later stage of disease than those who are older." Mat, who also had to have a tumour in his liver removed, has been cancer free for two years and will be closely monitored for the next he is now looking to the future after proposing to Holly and planning a wedding in 2027."Nobody should go through what I have been through if they just keep a check on their health and their bowels - it can be easily missed," said Mat."I would have died within the year if they'd done nothing... so the thought of being able to get a test earlier which is readily available, I think that's key."In Wales, everyone 50 or over automatically receives at-home bowel screening Welsh government said: "We follow the independent, expert advice of the UK National Screening Committee which recommends routine bowel screening for men and women between the ages of 50 and 74."
