Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has the health update she and her family have been waiting for: she says she is cancer-free.

Seven months after being diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer, the 38-year-old Jersey Shore star revealed that doctors successfully removed the cancer following a series of procedures that culminated in a hysterectomy on July 31.

“As of right now, I am cancer-free,” Polizzi told PEOPLE in an interview published September 18. “They got everything out.”

The announcement marks a major turning point in a health battle Polizzi has documented publicly, including the fear surrounding her diagnosis, the difficult decision to undergo a hysterectomy and the recovery that followed.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Polizzi revealed earlier this year that doctors had detected adenocarcinoma in her cervix after she underwent testing following abnormal results. The cancer was diagnosed at stage 1, meaning it had been discovered relatively early.

Her path to that diagnosis is something Polizzi has been unusually candid about.

She acknowledged that she had put off getting a Pap smear and following up on her health for longer than she should have. Once she returned to her doctors, however, the situation quickly turned into months of appointments and procedures.

“I avoided getting my pap smear for a long time,” she told PEOPLE, explaining that after she finally went back to the doctor, it felt like one procedure followed another.

Polizzi underwent a colposcopy and conization as doctors evaluated and treated the cancer. Ultimately, she underwent a hysterectomy on July 31.

The surgery removed her uterus and cervix, along with her fallopian tubes and additional tissue. Her ovaries were preserved, allowing her to avoid immediately entering surgical menopause.

For Polizzi, who shares three children with husband Jionni LaValle, the procedure carried an emotional weight beyond the physical recovery. She had previously spoken about coming to terms with losing the ability to carry another child, even though she considered her family complete.

Recovery Hasn't Been Easy

Being cancer-free does not mean Polizzi has immediately returned to normal.

She told PEOPLE that she continues to deal with fatigue and has learned that pushing herself too hard can result in pain and exhaustion. Still, nearly two months after surgery, she said she feels as though she is gradually becoming herself again.

That recovery follows months of uncertainty in which Polizzi openly shared parts of the experience with her followers.

Instead of keeping the diagnosis entirely private, the longtime reality star used social media to document what she was going through and encourage other women not to ignore routine screenings or follow-up appointments.

That message has become one of the central themes of her experience.

Cervical cancer screening can identify abnormal changes before they progress, and Polizzi has repeatedly pointed to her own decision to delay appointments as a reason she now wants other women to take their screenings seriously.

Cancer-Free — But Continued Monitoring Is Important

Polizzi's latest update is overwhelmingly positive, but she also made clear that she will continue being monitored.

Doctors have told her there remains a possibility of recurrence, and she plans to undergo Pap testing every three months as part of her follow-up care.

That distinction is important. Polizzi says she currently has no evidence of disease following treatment, but continued surveillance remains part of her medical plan.

The experience has also changed how she approaches her health. She told PEOPLE she is paying closer attention to her body, focusing on eating well, exercising and keeping her medical appointments rather than putting them off.

Turning Her Experience Into Advocacy

Polizzi is already using her experience to raise awareness beyond her own social-media audience.

She has partnered with F Cancer, a nonprofit focused on cancer prevention, early detection and support, and is scheduled to host the organization's 100th event in Los Angeles on September 23.

She has said that publicly discussing her diagnosis helped create a community of women going through similar experiences. Polizzi initially felt alone after learning she had cancer, but hearing from others dealing with the same fears helped change that.

Now she hopes sharing her story can provide that same sense of connection for someone else.

For fans who have watched Polizzi since her breakout on Jersey Shore, the announcement is a deeply personal milestone for a reality star who has spent much of her adult life in public.

Seven months after receiving a stage 1 cervical cancer diagnosis, undergoing multiple procedures and ultimately having a hysterectomy, Polizzi is now able to deliver the update she had been hoping for.

As of now, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi says she is cancer-free — and she is using the experience to remind other women not to put off potentially lifesaving screenings.