Jersey Shore star Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi must undergo a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
The 38-year-old reality star was told in February that she had Stage 1 cancer, a diagnosis that devastated her.
Luckily, further tests showed that the disease hadn’t spread elsewhere in her body.
Getting a Hysterectomy
However, she will have to have a hysterectomy – an operation to remove her womb – in the coming months, which doctors believe will end the need for any further cancer treatment.
In an interview with People, Snooki – who is mom to Lorenzo, 13, Giovanna, 11, and Angelo, 6, her kids with husband Jionni LaValle – admitted she’s feeling nervous about the upcoming surgery, but has accepted it is absolutely necessary.
She said: “I’m not great with pain, so thinking about removing an organ is scary.
“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.”
Cancer Diagnosis
Snooki’s cancer diagnosis came after she put off going for her smear tests for over a year.
Her tests from four years ago showed that she was developing pre-cancerous cells, which led to her doctor organising for her to have the test repeated every six months.
But when the smears became uncomfortable, Snooki put them off – again and again.
She admitted: “I knew something bad could happen, but instead of dealing with it, I just pretended it wasn’t happening.”
Unfortunately, after numerous phone calls from her doctor urging her to go for the appointment, one of the smears showed “a ton” of pre-cancerous cells.
She went on to have a colposcopy and a biopsy, which showed “severe cancer cells” which would undoubtedly spread unless treated quickly.
Support for Snooki
Snooki added that her nearest and dearest have been an invaluable support by “rallying around” her amidst the diagnosis and treatment.
She concluded: “The best part about everything is realising how many people care.
“I have a ton of people that are here for me and they love me.”
Snooki first found fame on the MTV show Jersey Shore, which first aired in 2009. She then starred in spin-offs Snooki and Jwoww and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.
She has also realised some of her fashion designer dreams with her own store, The Snooki Shop.