Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi Confirms She Will Undergo ‘Scary’ Hysterectomy After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis at 38

**Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi Opens Up About Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Importance of Regular Screenings**

Reality television star Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, best known for her role on MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” has shared her personal battle with cervical cancer following a recent diagnosis. The 38-year-old celebrity revealed the emotional challenges she faced when she learnt about her condition, urging others to prioritise their health through regular check-ups and screenings.

Polizzi, who resides in Florham Park, New Jersey, had been delaying her routine Pap smear for over a year before finally visiting her doctor. The long-awaited appointment resulted in a stage 1 cervical cancer diagnosis, a moment she described as devastating. “I had a breakdown,” she recalled. “I got to my car and I called my mum hysterically crying, thinking the worst.”

While the initial news was alarming, subsequent tests showed that the cancer had not progressed and was contained. In the coming months, she is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy, after which she is expected to require no further treatment. “I was scared,” Polizzi admitted, adding that she feels reassured by the relatively early stage of her diagnosis. “But you know what? It’s not the worst case and I can still deal with it. I’m gonna be fine.”

For the past four years, Polizzi had received abnormal results from her Pap smears, indicating the presence of precancerous cells, which her doctor advised requiring semi-annual screenings. However, she found the experience uncomfortable and began postponing appointments. “I ended up not going for like a year and a half because it’s uncomfortable, it’s not fun,” she explained.

Despite recognising the risks involved, she avoided confronting her health issues. “I knew something bad could happen,” she reflected. “But instead of dealing with it, I just pretended it wasn’t happening.” Her situation became urgent when her doctor persistently encouraged her to come in for a check-up. It was only after receiving repeated messages warning her of the seriousness of her condition that she returned to the clinic.

Initial tests indicated significant levels of precancerous cells, leading to further assessments, including a colposcopy and a cone biopsy, which revealed severe cellular abnormalities. Polizzi expressed the emotional strain of undergoing numerous examinations and facing the potential impact of her diagnosis on her family, particularly her children. “My two oldest were like, ‘Are you dying?’” she recalled. “But I was reassuring them like, ‘No, mummy’s gonna be fine.’”

In the face of adversity, Polizzi has found strength through the support of her loved ones. Her husband, Jionni LaValle, whom she wed in 2014, along with friends and family, have been rallying around her. “The best part about everything is realising how many people care,” she stated, highlighting the importance of community during difficult times.

Polizzi has also turned to her fans and social media followers for encouragement, admitting that connecting with others who have faced similar difficulties has helped ease her worries. “I don’t know anyone personally that has gone through this,” she explained. “So being able to read people’s comments definitely helped me to just know that I’m not alone and everything’s gonna be fine.”

As her surgery approaches, she can’t help but feel anxious. “I’m not great with pain, so thinking about removing an organ is scary,” she confessed. “That’s a part of being a woman and even though I’m done having kids, the thought of not being able to really upsets me.”

Currently balancing her personal health journey with her business commitments — including running her boutique, The Snooki Shop — Polizzi is focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She has started prioritising better nutrition, reducing alcohol intake, and going to the gym regularly. “I talk to my doctor all the time now. I wanna be healthier,” she affirmed.

Polizzi hopes to raise awareness about cervical cancer and the necessity of early detection. “I feel like nobody talks about cervical cancer,” she said. “The main point of me talking about this is for girls to get on their s–t and not do what I did… this is very preventable.”

For more insights into Nicole Polizzi’s journey and updates on her health, readers can find detailed coverage in the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine, which hits newsstands this week.