A coronial inquiry into the death of Penelope Dingle has heard the "cruel" home-remedies to which she subjected herself to try and cure her cancer.

Mrs Dingle, who was married to prominent West Australian professor Peter Dingle, died in 2005 after her rectal cancer had spread to other parts of her body.

She had initially refused surgery and conventional treatments for the cancer, which was first detected in 2003, opting to be treated with homeopathic remedies instead.

Belgian-born homeopath Francine Scrayen treated Mrs Dingle until she underwent emergency surgery towards the end of 2003, by which stage the cancer had spread.

Coroner Alastair Hope is examining what role Ms Scrayen and Mr Dingle played in Mrs Dingle's death, and whether greater regulation of alternative medicines is needed.