Reality TV star and Jersey Shore alum Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has publicly revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer, sharing the news in an emotional video on social media and using the moment to advocate for regular health screenings.
In a candid TikTok posted Friday, the 38-year-old explained that results from a recent cone biopsy—performed to investigate persistent abnormal Pap smears—showed early-stage cervical cancer, medically identified as adenocarcinoma. While the diagnosis was not what she had hoped for, Polizzi expressed relief that it was detected early.
“Obviously not the news that I was hoping for, but also not the worst … thank freaking God!” she said in the nearly eight-minute update.
Early Detection and Next Steps
Polizzi revealed that she has dealt with abnormal Pap smear results on and off for the past three to four years, which eventually led to more extensive testing. Her doctor performed a cone biopsy to remove and examine a tissue sample from her cervix, which confirmed the presence of cancerous cells.
She shared that because the cancer was caught in its early stage, doctors believe the outlook is favorable. Polizzi said she plans to undergo a PET scan to check whether the disease has spread, and that she is likely to have a hysterectomy—a surgical removal of the uterus and cervix—while potentially preserving her ovaries.
Public Health Message
Throughout her video, Polizzi made a point of urging her followers, particularly women, to stay on top of routine screenings such as Pap smears and HPV tests. She said that putting off appointments because of fear or discomfort contributed to her situation, and she hopes others will learn from her experience.
“That’s why I’m literally telling you guys to get your Pap smears done,” Polizzi said. “Instead of putting it off because it hurts or is scary, just go do it.”
Cervical cancer, in many cases, can be prevented or detected early through routine screening and HPV vaccination, both of which have significantly reduced incidence and mortality over recent decades.
Support From Fans and Fellow Stars
Since the announcement, fans and fellow celebrities have flooded social media with messages of support for Polizzi. Many have praised her transparency and bravery in discussing a health challenge that affects thousands of women each year.
Polizzi, who first rose to fame on MTV’s Jersey Shore and later appeared on Snooki & JWoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, is a mother of three and has been married to Jionni LaValle for more than a decade.
Despite the difficult news, she struck a hopeful tone, telling fans she plans to “tackle this” and continue sharing her journey to promote awareness.
