According to the findings of a coroner, poor science and misinformation were what led to the Perth woman’ death, who had refused a conventional treatment for the cancer she was suffering from. Penelope Dingle had died in August 2005 after refusing to be treated through surgery for rectal cancer and instead going for alternative remedies. The 45 year old had undergone and emergency surgery in October 2003 to remove a tumor that is life threatening but meanwhile the cancer had spread to various other parts of her body.

A coroner from Western Australia, Alastair Hope said that Francine Scrayen wasn’t competent enough as a health professional and while treating Mrs. Dingle had given her dangerous advice. He also said that Mrs. Dingle’s own husband Peter, who was a toxicologist, was his own misinformation’s victim as he had no qualification in wellness or health. Dr. Dingle who had appeared as a guest presenter on the Can We help program of ABC had written papers arguing about the ineffectiveness of treating cancer through chemotherapy. As per the coroner’s recommendations, Doctor Igor Tabrizian and William Barnes, who were consulted by Mrs. Dingle should be referred for their conduct to Medical Board of WA. Dr. Barnes’ suggestion to Mrs. Dingle to use Carnivora and vitamin C for stopping the growth of tumor, according to Mr. Hope and Dr. Tabrizian’s failure to properly examine her thoroughly provided them enough reason to be referred to the board.

However, according to the coroner the final decisions were made by Mrs. Dingle. She had conducted her own research and decided herself to avoid radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery till very late as she was told that she will turn infertile after the treatment. Professor Cameron Platell who was the main doctor of Mrs. Dingle, has been praised by the coroner as a very good medical practitioner.