Christy Carlson Romano, the actress who once lit up the Disney Channel, just shared some grim news with her fans. In a video posted to Instagram, she talked openly about a recent cancer screening that didn’t come back clear. She’s 41 now, and this health scare hit her hard.
Christy Carlson Romano’s tearful revelation
On February 17, 2026, Christy sat down in front of her camera and told the world about her test results. She and her husband, Brendan Rooney, both decided to get screened because cancer has haunted her family for generations. Romano shared that her mom survived her own battle with the disease, but Christy’s dad didn’t make it. Her grandmother passed away from lung cancer, too. When one has such a painful family history with the disease, it’s only natural to get worried.In the Instagram video, Christy revealed that Brendan’s screening came back negative, it was a clean bill of health. However, hers didn’t. She let out a sigh and admitted she was scared.Christy said, “My husband’s [results] came back completely negative,” adding, “Mine did not come back negative.”Right now, she’s waiting to get a PET scan, which will give doctors a closer look and help figure out what’s really going on. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the scan’s high-tech, using a radioactive tracer to spot any trouble in the body. It sounds a little scary, but it’s what she needs next.But even getting that scan isn’t easy. In her video caption, Christy mentioned that she’s currently fighting with her insurance company to get the PET scan approved. It’s a struggle so many people know all too well, as the system isn’t always on your side, even when you’re facing something this serious.However, Christy wanted to be clear: a positive screening doesn’t mean she definitely has cancer. It just means something showed up that doctors want to check out. She’s in that awful waiting stage, hoping for the best, knowing her family’s story, and trying to keep her nerves in check.Christy also talked about losing a friend, actor James Van Der Beek, to colorectal cancer not long ago. That loss feels fresh for her and clearly adds to the weight she’s carrying now. She kept repeating how important early detection is, and how everyone should get checked, especially with cancer so common these days.“Cancer is everywhere,” she said. She’s hoping whatever comes next is manageable, but she wanted to share her story so maybe someone else will decide to get screened, too.
Christy Carlson Romano: Who is she?
If you grew up in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, you probably know Christy as Ren Stevens, the quick-witted big sister on ‘Even Stevens’. She was a standout on Disney Channel, and then went on to voice ‘Kim Possible’, the animated teen hero who could do just about anything. Beyond acting, Christy has tried her hand at music, theater, and even hosting. Her podcast, ‘Vulnerable’, digs into life’s tougher moments, and now, her own health scare is part of that journey.
