'Anti-vax' woman, 23, died after refusing chemotherapy

A 23-year-old woman named Paloma Shemirani, who identified as 'anti-vax', died after refusing chemotherapy treatment for a treatable cancer.

'Anti-vax' woman, 23, died after refusing chemotherapy - inquest
Source: bbc.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 30, 2025

Paloma Shemirani died at Royal Sussex County Hospital in July 2024 after refusing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
She identified as 'anti-vax' and was influenced by her mother’s anti-vaccine stance.
Her refusal of conventional treatment led to her death from cancer-related complications.bbc.com telegraph.co.uk independent.co.uk

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple credible news sources report that Paloma Shemirani, a University of Cambridge graduate, died in July 2024 after declining chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of treatable blood cancer. The inquest revealed that she described herself as 'anti-vax' and was influenced by her mother, who is also known for anti-vaccine views. She refused conventional cancer treatment and instead pursued alternative therapies such as daily coffee enemas.

Her death was attributed to complications related to the untreated cancer, including a fatal heart attack caused by her tumor. The consistency across reputable outlets such as BBC, The Telegraph, The Independent, and others supports the accuracy of the claim.

Primary trail