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Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has revealed she will undergo a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer, opening up about the emotional and physical toll of the experience.
The 38-year-old reality TV personality said she initially struggled to process the diagnosis. "I had a breakdown," she shared, recalling how she "called my mom hysterically crying, thinking the worst."
After further medical tests, doctors confirmed the cancer had not spread, and surgery is expected to fully treat it. While relieved by the prognosis, Polizzi admitted the upcoming procedure is daunting.
"I'm not great with pain, so thinking about removing an organ is scary," she said. "That's a part of being a woman and even though I'm done having kids, the thought of not being able to really upset me. It messes with you a little bit."
Polizzi, who shares three children with husband Jionni LaValle, explained that her journey began with years of abnormal Pap smear results. Despite doctors recommending regular screenings, she delayed appointments due to discomfort.
"I ended up not going for like a year and a half because it's uncomfortable, it's not fun," she admitted, adding, "instead of dealing with it, I just pretended it wasn't happening."
It was only after persistent reminders from her doctor that she returned for testing, which revealed severe precancerous cells. "My doctor was leaving me a voicemail... 'You need to get in here. This is serious. You don't want it to escalate,'" she recalled.
Breaking the news to her children was another difficult moment. "My two oldest were like, 'Are you dying?'" she said, explaining she reassured them: "No, mommy's gonna be fine."
Despite the fear, Polizzi remains optimistic about her recovery. "I was scared... But you know what? It's not the worst case and I can still deal with it. I'm gonna be fine."
She has since focused on improving her health, staying in close contact with her doctor and making lifestyle changes. The reality star also highlighted the importance of early detection, urging others not to repeat her mistake.
"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."
As she prepares for surgery, Polizzi says the support from family, friends and fans has made a difference, reminding her she's not facing the journey alone.
