Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, the vivacious reality TV star who shot to fame on MTV’s Jersey Shore, has always been an open book with her fans. But on February 20, 2026, she shared perhaps her most personal story yet: a stage 1 cervical cancer diagnosis. The announcement came via TikTok, where the 38-year-old mother of three sat in her car, candidly describing her whirlwind of recent medical appointments and urging her followers to take their health seriously.
“Now I’m transferred over to the oncologist. My results came back from my cone biopsy, you guys, and it came back stage 1 cervical cancer. Obviously not the news that I was hoping for. But also not the worst news just because they caught it so early, thank freaking God,” Polizzi told her audience, as reported by Parade and confirmed by multiple outlets including Wide Open Country and The Independent. This sense of relief—tempered by the reality of a cancer diagnosis—set the tone for her heartfelt message.
Polizzi revealed that her diagnosis followed several years of abnormal Pap smears, a detail she highlighted to stress the importance of regular screening. “I’ve been struggling with abnormal Pap smears for, like, three [to] four years now, and now look at me. Instead of just putting it off because I didn’t wanna go and it hurt and I was scared, no, I just went and did it, and it was there. Cancer’s in there, and it’s only stage 1,” she said, as quoted by People and Us Weekly. Her candor resonated with fans, many of whom flooded her social media with messages of support and gratitude for her honesty.
The diagnosis came after a cone biopsy—a procedure in which a cone-shaped section of tissue is removed from the cervix for examination. Polizzi explained, “They took a chunk out of my cervix. And they said the margins came back clear, which means the chunk that they took out, that was like the tumor, the cancer that was in there. But then, around it, was clear. So there were no cancer cells on that, which means it didn’t go up into the cervix, which is a good thing,” according to Wide Open Country.
Yet, as she made clear, the journey is far from over. Polizzi’s next step is a PET scan, which will determine whether the cancer has spread elsewhere in her body. She described the process with her trademark blend of humor and realism: “The next thing that I have scheduled is a PET scan... I have to drink this like nasty fluid the day before. And that’ll detect if the cancer (has) spread.” The results of this scan will inform her treatment plan, which is likely to include a hysterectomy—the removal of her uterus and cervix—though she hopes to keep her ovaries. “The oncologist said you can either do chemo, radiation, or the hysterectomy. Obviously, I think the smart choice here is a hysterectomy. I’ll still keep my ovaries, which is a good sign, but gotta get the cervix and the uterus out. And then possibly lymph nodes, because it can go to that. So, I guess it all depends on the PET scan,” she explained to her followers, as reported by Us Weekly and The Independent.
Polizzi’s diagnosis is specifically adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer that, as she noted, is “more aggressive when it comes to spreading throughout the body.” Despite this, her doctors were optimistic given the early stage and clear biopsy margins. “Not the news I was hoping for but also not the worst news because they caught it so early, thank freakin’ God,” she reiterated, emphasizing her gratitude for early detection.
Her openness about the diagnosis has sparked a wave of support from friends, fans, and fellow celebrities. Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, her longtime Jersey Shore castmate, posted a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter) on February 22, 2026: “Sending prayers full of love, promotion and healing to our girl @snooki,” he wrote, sharing a throwback photo of the duo with Jenni “JWoww” Farley and Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio. The outpouring of love has clearly buoyed Polizzi, who responded with a TikTok video making a heart with her hands and the caption, “Seeing all the love you guys have shown me means THE WORLD to me, thanks for being my besties 4ever.”
Polizzi’s story is not just a personal health update—it’s a public service announcement. She’s used her platform to urge others, especially women, not to delay routine gynecological care. “Get your appointments done, b—es,” she quipped, mixing humor with urgency. In a separate video, she added, “Just making this video to spread awareness to make sure you get your pap smears. And if your doctor calls you to do it again, do it. Make sure you’re fine and prevent all the bad things that could happen, like cervical cancer.”
Her advocacy is well-timed. According to the Mayo Clinic, most cervical cancers are caused by HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection. While the virus often clears on its own, in some cases it can cause cell changes that lead to cancer. Regular Pap smears can detect these changes early, often before cancer develops. The Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center notes that early cervical cancer rarely causes symptoms, making screening all the more crucial. When symptoms do appear, they can include pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, unusual vaginal bleeding, heavier menstrual periods, or foul-smelling discharge—signals that should prompt a doctor’s visit.
Polizzi’s diagnosis comes after 11 years of marriage to Jionni LaValle, with whom she shares three children: Lorenzo, 13; Giovanna, 11; and Angelo, 6. The family continues to reside in New Jersey, where Polizzi has built a life far removed from the wild days that made her a household name. Still, her trademark resilience and humor remain intact. “So 2026 is not panning out how I wanted it to,” she admitted, but quickly added, “Could be very much worse.”
Throughout this ordeal, Polizzi has promised to keep her fans updated. “I’ll be vulnerable on here and share everything,” she wrote, inviting others who are struggling to reach out. Her willingness to share the messy, scary parts of her health journey has made her a beacon for others facing similar challenges.
In the world of reality TV, where drama and artifice often take center stage, Snooki’s real-life battle with cancer is a reminder of what truly matters: health, family, and the power of community support. As she faces the next steps—PET scans, possible surgery, and continued advocacy—her fans, friends, and fellow castmates are cheering her on, grateful for her honesty and inspired by her strength.