Former “Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi revealed Friday she has been diagnosed with Stage 1 cervical cancer, urging her followers to prioritize regular Pap smears.
Polizzi, 38, shared the diagnosis in a nearly eight-minute TikTok video, explaining that a post-operative biopsy following a cone biopsy procedure confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer. “Obviously not the news that I was hoping for, but also not the worst news just because they caught it so early. Thank freaking God!” Polizzi said in the video.
The reality television personality explained she had been experiencing abnormal Pap smear results for three to four years prior to the diagnosis, and admitted to delaying appointments due to fear and discomfort. “That’s why I’m literally telling you guys to gain your Pap smears done,” she stated. “I’m 38 years ancient… and now glance at me.”
A cone biopsy, according to CBS News, is a procedure that removes a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue to check for precancerous cells.
Polizzi is scheduled to undergo a PET scan to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the cervix, and anticipates a possible hysterectomy, according to reports from CBC News and USA Today. “So 2026 is not panning out how I wanted it to,” she said, acknowledging the challenging road ahead. She emphasized the importance of open communication about women’s health issues, noting that many women experience similar anxieties and fears in silence.
Polizzi rose to prominence as a cast member on MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” which premiered in 2009 and ran until 2012. She later starred in the spin-off series “Snooki & JWoww” from 2012 to 2015. She continues to appear on “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 13,000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. The organization notes that the death rate from cervical cancer has decreased by more than half since the mid-1970s, largely due to increased screening and preventative measures.
