Doctor's Influence on Daughter's Cancer Treatment Under Scrutiny

A Tragic Case of Medical Decision-Making and Family Influence

An inquest into the death of a 23-year-old woman who refused cancer treatment has revealed concerns about the influence of her mother, a former nurse known for spreading misinformation. The case has sparked discussions about the role of family members in medical decisions and the impact of conspiracy theories on health choices.

Paloma Shemirani passed away on July 24, 2024, at Royal Sussex County Hospital after declining treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her mother, Kay “Kate” Shemirani, had previously raised doubts about her daughter’s treatment plan seven months before her death. These concerns were brought to light during an inquest held at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent.

Dr. Arunodaya Mohan, a consultant haematologist at Maidstone Hospital, testified that she met with Paloma on December 22, 2023, following her diagnosis. During this meeting, Dr. Mohan outlined a treatment plan that included chemotherapy, which had an 80% chance of recovery. She also recommended steroids and a PET scan, and Paloma reportedly nodded in agreement.

However, shortly after, Paloma informed Dr. Mohan that she was still undecided about the treatment and wanted to explore other options. Dr. Mohan then spoke with Paloma’s mother, who expressed concerns about the side effects of steroids. Ms. Shemirani also declined the PET scan, according to the inquest.

Dr. Mohan stated that she did not want to engage in further discussions with the mother, as she felt it would not be helpful. When asked if there were concerns that Ms. Shemirani was influencing Paloma, Dr. Mohan confirmed that was the case. She noted that Ms. Shemirani had mentioned wanting to be her daughter’s power of attorney and requested copies of blood records.

Paloma ultimately decided against the treatment, and when Dr. Mohan asked why, there seemed to be no clear reason. However, Dr. Mohan questioned whether Paloma’s decision was influenced by someone else. Paloma maintained that her choice was entirely her own and that she was not influenced.

Ms. Shemirani, who cross-examined Dr. Mohan, claimed that her daughter’s account of the hospital visit “refutes everything” the witness said. She argued that the treatment Paloma received could have harmed her heart. Ms. Shemirani also alleged that Dr. Mohan continued to contact her after she declined chemotherapy.

Dr. Mohan defended her actions, stating that it was her duty of care to treat Paloma. However, Ms. Shemirani’s history of spreading misinformation came under scrutiny. She had been struck off as a nurse in 2021 due to her involvement in spreading false information about the coronavirus. Despite this, she claimed to be a nurse during the inquest, a claim that was quickly refuted by the coroner, Catherine Wood, who reminded her that she was no longer registered.

Ms. Shemirani later accused the coroner of being dismissive of her questions, prompting a sharp response from the coroner. Meanwhile, Paloma’s twin brother, Gabriel, apologized for his mother’s behavior and asked Dr. Mohan if there was a change in Paloma’s attitude toward the hospital after she was discharged. Dr. Mohan confirmed that she was concerned because Paloma had initially been considering treatment but later completely rejected it.

The inquest is ongoing, and the case continues to raise important questions about the intersection of personal beliefs, medical advice, and family influence in critical health decisions.