Christy Carlson Romano Shares Emotional Health Update After Positive Cancer Screening

Christy Carlson Romano is opening up about a frightening health scare.

The former Disney Channel star revealed in an emotional Instagram video that a recent cancer screening test came back positive. Fighting back tears, the 41-year-old actress shared that she and her husband, Brendan Rooney, decided to get tested together to stay on top of their health.

“My husband’s came back completely negative. Mine did not come back negative,” Romano said in the video.

She explained that the next step is getting a PET scan to learn more, though she is currently dealing with insurance challenges to get the test covered. “I’m fighting with companies to get that covered,” she added.

A Family History That Hits Close to Home

Romano said the results were especially hard to hear because cancer has deeply affected her family. Both of her parents were diagnosed with the disease. Her mother survived, but her father later passed away. Her maternal grandmother also died of lung cancer.

“Cancer is everywhere,” she said, explaining why she decided to take the screening in the first place.

She also spoke about the recent loss of actor James Van Der Beek, who she said died last week at age 48 after battling colorectal cancer. Romano shared that she knew him and his wife, Kimberly, as both families live in Texas.

“I live in Austin, and I was able to meet James Van Der Beek a bunch. His family’s amazing. He’s a pillar of our community in Texas,” she said. “They were always raising money for charities, and he’s not with us anymore.”

Leaning on Faith and Family

Romano admitted she is still in “disbelief” over her test results and is trying not to let fear take over. Instead, she is focusing on her upcoming memoir and filming a new movie.

“This is a very vulnerable time for me,” she said.

The actress — best known for her roles in Even Stevens and Kim Possible — also reflected on another terrifying moment in her life. Nearly a year ago, she was accidentally shot in the face while shooting clay pigeons during her husband’s birthday celebration. She later said she was grateful to be alive after the accident.

Romano shares two daughters, Isabella, 9, and Sophia, 7, with Rooney. She said her children are a big reason she is taking the health scare so seriously.

“I’m sure people think I’m overreacting, but I’m not, because cancer is pretty serious, and I have two little girls,” she said.

Despite her fear, Romano is staying hopeful.

“It’s time to have a strong sense of faith and know that it’s in God’s hands,” she said. “When you’re somebody like me, you kinda have to take life a day at a time, really be grateful for all the amazing stuff around you.”

In the caption of her post, she admitted she was “nervous and a bit scared” to share the news publicly. She said she hopes the PET scan will show something “easy to treat” and promised to keep fans updated.

Rooney quickly showed his support in the comments.

“You got this my beautiful wife,” he wrote. “We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way. I love you beyond words.”

For now, Romano is leaning on her family, her faith, and the support of her fans as she waits for answers — and reminding others to cherish the people around them.

“Life can change in an instant,” she said. “Hug the people around you every chance you can.”