Jersey Shore star Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi shares latest cancer update with fans

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has shared a positive update on her cancer journey, revealing she is now cancer-free following surgery earlier this year.

The Jersey Shore star, 38, was diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer back in February after several years of abnormal Pap smear results.

Polizzi revealed the diagnosis on TikTok, explaining that a cone biopsy had confirmed she had stage one cervical cancer called adenocarcinoma.

At the time, she said she was grateful the disease had been caught early and was preparing for a hysterectomy after further tests showed the cancer had not spread.

Her diagnosis came after she had previously been advised to have more frequent screenings because of abnormal results.

Now, seven months after revealing her diagnosis, Polizzi says she has no evidence of disease following a hysterectomy in July.

"As of right now, I am cancer-free," she exclusively told PEOPLE. "They got everything out. So I’m definitely happy that I did it."

Reflecting on the months of treatment and procedures, Polizzi said: "I avoided getting my Pap smear for a long time.

"And once I finally went to the doctors, I feel like it’s just been week after week of doing a procedure, then another procedure, and then a hysterectomy. So it’s been a journey and a long road, but I’m happy that I’m on the other side of it and everything is going good."

Despite the positive news, the reality TV star says she is still recovering from the major surgery and is having to learn not to push herself too hard.

"I’m trying to listen to my body and give my body grace and not go crazy. There’s days where I do too much and then I just feel exhausted and I start getting pains," she admitted. "But other than that, I’m finally starting to feel better. I feel like I’m almost getting back to myself."

Polizzi also says her doctors have told her there is a chance the cancer could return, so she will need to remain vigilant with routine Pap smears every three months.

The experience has changed how she approaches her health, with Polizzi saying she is now focused on looking after herself and keeping up with appointments.

"Getting a cancer diagnosis is very terrifying and scary. So, I just want my body to be as healthy as it can be," she continued. "I feel like I’m eating better, working out, obviously staying on top of my appointments. I’m just not avoiding anything and just trying to be the best version of myself."

The reality star is also using her experience to support F Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection.

She will host the organisation’s 100th event at Academy Nightclub in Los Angeles later this week (23 September), telling the outlet: "I’m really excited, and I’m honoured to host. I’m honoured to go and, you know, just F cancer."

Opening up publicly about her diagnosis has also helped Polizzi find support from other women who have experienced cervical cancer and hysterectomies.

"In the beginning, I felt so alone," the mum-of-three admitted. "I had no idea what was gonna happen. I didn’t know anybody going through cervical cancer. So [speaking out] makes me feel like I’m giving a platform to women dealing with the same things that I did. Just a safe place for us women to talk."

"Looking at all the comments and everyone’s saying, 'Oh my God, you’re helping me so much.' Like, people that got hysterectomies, we call each other 'hyster sisters.' I think it’s so cute that we can all just be there for each other," she beamed.

"It just makes it less scary because we’re not the only ones going through it. I needed something like that while I was going through it."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.