Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi shares tearful hysterectomy update after cervical cancer diagnosis

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has shared an emotional update after undergoing a hysterectomy following her cervical cancer diagnosis.

The Jersey Shore star revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer, and has now opened up about the fear she experienced before going into surgery.

In a new TikTok video, which she also shared on Instagram, the 38-year-old admitted the reality of the operation hit her just moments before the procedure.

"Right when I go in, it’s just like, 'Oh my god, it hit me, like holy sh*t. I’m going under surgery,'" Polizzi recalled. "'I’m losing my uterus and my cervix, fallopian tubes, half my vagina, like holy sh*t.'"

She continued: "I just start hysterically bawling, I’m so scared. I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I don’t wanna feel pain. It’s very scary."

The eight-minute clip follows Polizzi as she prepares for surgery, documenting the moments before she was taken into theatre.

The mum-of-three explained that although she tried to stay calm, her nerves quickly took over.

"I was starting to get nervous and anxious, getting checked in and stuff, and then they wheel me in where they’re doing the procedure," Polizzi said. "And I’m like, 'Stay positive, it’s gonna be fine, don’t freak yourself out.'

"My heart’s starting to race, I’m getting anxiety, and I’m getting the shakes."

As well as removing her uterus and cervix, Polizzi said surgeons also removed her fallopian tubes and 'some parts of my vagina just to make sure we get everything', while keeping her ovaries so she would not go into pre-menopause.

The reality TV fan-favourite also revealed doctors corrected a separate condition during the operation.

"I’ve had three kids," she explained. "Sometimes your abs, they disconnect. I don't have like a six-pack. You don't see it, but everyone has it. So he ended up putting them back together."

While recovering, Polizzi admitted she's still in a lot of pain but is focused on staying positive.

She said she has managed to walk 'a little bit', though it 'hurt so bad'.

Despite the difficult recovery, Polizzi said she wanted to keep sharing her experience to help others facing similar diagnoses.

"I don’t have to take birth control anymore. Hopefully, I’ll be cancer-free," she resolved, before concluding: "I love you. Thanks for being here. And get your Pap smears, OK?"

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.