Former Disney Channel star Christy Carlson Romano has tearfully revealed she has tested positive for what she described as "stageable cancer" following a routine medical scan. The Daytime Emmy nominee, who will turn 42 next month, made the emotional announcement on Instagram this Tuesday.
Inspired by Community Loss
Romano explained she was motivated to undergo screening after fellow Austin resident James Van Der Beek tragically died last Wednesday at age 48 from stage III colon cancer. "I was able to meet James Van Der Beek a bunch. His family is amazing, he was a pillar of our community in Texas," Romano shared in her heartfelt post.
Family History of Cancer
The actress disclosed a significant family history with the disease, stating: "Both my parents had cancer. My mom beat it, my dad eventually didn't, my grandmother on my mom's side had lung cancer and died from that." She received her test results shortly before filming in Florida last December.
Romano, who competed on Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, admitted she is "nervous and a bit scared" ahead of a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging scan scheduled for later this week. She expressed hope that the cancer would prove to be "something easy to treat."
A Vulnerable Time
This announcement comes during what Romano described as a "very vulnerable time" for her. Just 367 days ago, she was accidentally shot in the face with shotgun shrapnel while shooting clay pigeons at a local range. The Connecticut-born actress still has one bullet fragment lodged behind her eye and another in her forehead, both too risky for surgical removal.
"Time to have a strong sense of faith and know that it's in God's hands, most of it," said Romano, who boasts 3.1 million social media followers. "I'm sure people think I'm overreacting but I'm not because cancer's pretty serious and I have two little girls. This is a very emotional post."
Family Support System
The We're Alive: Descendants actress and her husband Brendan Rooney, a 43-year-old retired US Marine, are parents to two daughters: Isabella, age nine, and Sophia, who celebrates her seventh birthday this Wednesday. Rooney offered unwavering support, commenting: "You got this my beautiful wife. We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way. I love you beyond words."
The couple, who met in 2011 while Romano attended Barnard College, recently celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary on December 31. They co-founded the production company PodCo together.
Community and Career
Romano also receives support from her sizable mom group, who recently dressed in matching silver outfits to see The Backstreet Boys perform at The Sphere in Las Vegas. The actress debated whether to announce her diagnosis, concerned she might "come off cringe," but ultimately decided it was her "duty" to spread awareness about cancer screenings.
Professionally, Romano will next appear as Nicole in Ryan Landels' Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, premiering later this year on the Hallmark Channel alongside Lacey Chabert, Richard Kind and Travis Van Winkle. The film, which wrapped production on January 29, marked the first time a movie was shot inside Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Disney Legacy
Romano is best known for portraying Ren Stevens, the perfectionist sister to Shia LaBeouf's character in the Disney comedy series Even Stevens, which aired from 2000 to 2003. She also voiced the titular character in the animated series Kim Possible, which ran on Disney Channel from 2002 to 2007.
The former Broadway actress maintains an active career as an influencer with paid partnerships for brands including Method IQ, Shipt and Sam's Club, and is currently penning a memoir. Despite her health challenges, Romano continues to balance her professional commitments with her role as a mother and advocate for cancer awareness.
