Home Panorama Season 73 Episode 18

Cancer Conspiracy Theories: Why Did Our Sister Die?

Panorama · Season 73 · Episode 18
Paloma Shemirani was just 23 when she died from cancer in 2024. She had rejected chemotherapy in favour of alternative treatments. Her brothers say that decision was influenced by their mother Kate Shemirani, a vocal British conspiracy theorist who shares misinformation about cancer. She disputes their account. So what really happened? Through testimony from family, friends and experts, Marianna Spring investigates Paloma's case and the rise of health conspiracy theories on social media following the pandemic. Are social media companies’ algorithms pushing potentially harmful content at vulnerable patients – and are anti-medicine ideas going mainstream?

Episode Details

Air date, runtime, timezone, and episode position.

Season
73
Episode
18
Air Date
23/Jun/2025
Air Time
20:00
Runtime
29 min

Overview

Episode summary.

Paloma Shemirani was just 23 when she died from cancer in 2024. She had rejected chemotherapy in favour of alternative treatments. Her brothers say that decision was influenced by their mother Kate Shemirani, a vocal British conspiracy theorist who shares misinformation about cancer. She disputes their account. So what really happened? Through testimony from family, friends and experts, Marianna Spring investigates Paloma's case and the rise of health conspiracy theories on social media following the pandemic. Are social media companies’ algorithms pushing potentially harmful content at vulnerable patients – and are anti-medicine ideas going mainstream?

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