Christy Carlson Romano reveals positive cancer screening

Christy Carlson Romano revealed she received a positive result from a cancer screening in a tearful Instagram video posted on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old Disney alum said she and her husband, Brendan Rooney, underwent screenings because of her family’s history with the disease. While his results came back negative, hers did not.

“My husband’s [results] came back completely negative,” Romano said. “Mine did not come back negative.” She added, “I’m nervous and a bit scared (heck who wouldn’t be!).”

Romano said both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer. Her mother survived, but her father did not. Her maternal grandmother also died of lung cancer. The recent death of actor James Van Der Beek from colorectal cancer also prompted her to get tested.

“Cancer is everywhere,” Romano said. “Which is why I got this test.”

The “Even Stevens” and “Kim Possible” alum will now undergo a PET scan, which uses a radioactive tracer to check for signs of cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Romano said she is fighting with insurance companies to get the scan covered.

“Right now the news is that something is going on,” Romano wrote in the post’s caption. She said she debated sharing the news because she was afraid she would come off as “cringe,” but decided it was her duty to encourage others to get screenings.

Romano expressed faith and referenced her two daughters, Isabella, 9, and Sophia, 7, whom she shares with Rooney.

“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.

Romano vowed to keep fighting for answers and thanked her family for their support. In the comments, Rooney wrote, “You got this my beautiful wife. We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way. I love you beyond words.”

Romano asked followers to keep positive vibes going and said she would provide updates as she receives more information.

This news comes over a year after Romano revealed that she was accidentally shot in the face by another party after taking her husband to shoot clay pigeons for his birthday.

“It’s a birdshot that got sprayed in my direction by another party, and essentially it was within 200 feet, which means really fast and hot,” she explained during a June 2025 episode of the “Not a Damn Chance!” podcast.

“They weren’t malicious. It wasn’t aggravated assault. It’s what happened,” Romano said, while stressing the importance of gun safety.

“I feel very out of body about it… it’s pretty wild,” she added.