Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, the reality television star who shot to fame on MTV's "Jersey Shore," has revealed her recent diagnosis of stage 1 cervical cancer, called adenocarcinoma. In a series of candid TikTok videos posted on February 20 and 21, 2026, Polizzi, age 38, shared her emotional journey from years of abnormal Pap smears to the sobering news of cancer, all while urging women everywhere to prioritize their health and routine screenings.
Polizzi’s announcement, made from her car between medical appointments, was both vulnerable and empowering. "Obviously not the news I was hoping for, but also not the worst news just because they caught it so early. Thank freaking God!" she said, according to Deadline and Variety. The diagnosis followed a cone biopsy, a surgical procedure that removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix to check for cancer or precancerous cells. The results confirmed stage 1 cervical adenocarcinoma, meaning the cancer is confined to the cervix and has not spread to nearby tissues or organs—a fact Polizzi acknowledged with relief.
Polizzi’s health journey didn’t begin with this diagnosis. She revealed she had been "struggling with abnormal Pap smears for three or four years now," a concern she had previously shared with her followers on social media. Earlier in 2026, after a colposcopy and biopsy, her doctor found cancerous cells at the top of her cervix. "That’s why I’m literally telling you guys to get your Pap smears done. I’m 38 years old… and now look at me," she said in her video, as reported by The Independent. "Instead of just putting it off because I didn’t want to go and it hurt and I was scared, no, I just went and did it. And it was there, cancer is in there. But it’s only stage 1 and it’s curable."
This message of early detection was at the heart of Polizzi’s announcement. She repeatedly stressed the importance of regular Pap smears, urging her audience not to delay routine checks out of fear or discomfort. "So get your appointments done, bitches! I’m telling you! Once you go to stage 2, then you have to do chemo… nobody wants to do that! It’s scary. So get your appointments done," she exclaimed, blending her trademark humor with a serious call to action.
Polizzi’s openness about her diagnosis and the steps ahead has resonated with fans and fellow celebrities alike. Her Jersey Shore co-stars quickly rallied around her online. Jenni "JWoww" Farley commented, "I love you so much," while Sammi Giancola added, "The strongest woman, love you!" This outpouring of support underscores the sense of community Polizzi has cultivated, both on and off screen.
Looking ahead, Polizzi outlined her immediate medical plans. She is now under the care of an oncologist and is scheduled for a PET scan, which will determine if the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes or other parts of her body. "The next thing that I have scheduled is a PET scan… that'll detect if the cancer spread, if it's anywhere else in my body, like the lymph nodes and all those things," she explained, according to Fox 29. Her biopsy margins came back clear, meaning the cancer had not spread beyond the initial tumor, a positive sign as she prepares for further treatment.
Depending on the PET scan results, Polizzi anticipates undergoing a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the cervix and uterus, though she noted she will likely keep her ovaries. "The oncologist said you can either do chemo radiation or the hysterectomy. Obviously, I think the smart choice here is the hysterectomy. I'll still keep my ovaries, which is a good sign. But the hysterectomy, yeah, I've got to get. The cervix and the uterus out and then possibly lymph nodes because it can go to that," she said. The prospect of surgery and possible lymph node removal is daunting, but Polizzi remains focused on her recovery and determined to tackle the disease head-on.
Polizzi’s willingness to share her story publicly is motivated by more than just personal catharsis. She acknowledged that "a lot of women go through it silently without anyone to talk to and they're scared by themselves. And that was me until I decided to upload the video about what was happening with me." By speaking out, she hopes to break the stigma and isolation that often surrounds gynecological cancers, encouraging open conversation and mutual support.
Her journey is also a reminder of the broader impact of cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a little more than 13,000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. Since the mid-1970s, the death rate from cervical cancer has dropped by more than half, thanks largely to increased screening and prevention efforts. The primary cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), and the risk of developing the disease drops significantly for those who receive the HPV vaccine.
Polizzi’s personal life, marked by her rise to fame on Jersey Shore in 2009 and subsequent appearances in spin-offs like Snooki & JWoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, has always been an open book. Now, as a wife of 11 years and mother of three living in New Jersey, she’s using her platform to advocate for women’s health. "2026 is not panning out how I wanted it to," she admitted, "but also, it could be worse." Her resilience and humor in the face of adversity have struck a chord with viewers, many of whom have reached out with messages of encouragement and solidarity.
As Polizzi awaits the results of her PET scan and prepares for possible surgery, she remains committed to sharing updates and supporting others facing similar challenges. "I like that we have a platform here to talk about it with each other. I appreciate all of the love. Everything’s going to be fine. I’m going to tackle this and get it done. I gotta keep attacking this, and everything’s gonna be great," she reassured her followers. While the road ahead may hold uncertainty, Polizzi’s openness, gratitude, and determination offer hope—not just for herself, but for countless others navigating their own health battles.
Snooki’s story, both sobering and inspiring, is a powerful testament to the importance of early detection, community support, and the courage to speak out, even when life takes an unexpected turn.