Former Disney Star Christy Carlson Romano Faces Cancer Diagnosis, Inspires Health Checks
Former Disney Channel sensation Christy Carlson Romano has shared the deeply personal and emotional news that she has been diagnosed with “stageable cancer.” The revelation came after a routine medical scan, prompting the Daytime Emmy nominee to urge others to prioritise their health.
Romano, who will celebrate her 42nd birthday next month, revealed that a significant inspiration behind her decision to get checked was the tragic passing of fellow Austin resident and actor James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek succumbed to stage III colon cancer at the age of 48 just last week.
“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 on Instagram on Tuesday, her voice thick with emotion. She further elaborated on her personal history with cancer, 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.” The actress received her own diagnosis results shortly before commencing filming in Florida last December.
The star, known for her role in Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, admitted to feeling “nervous and a bit scared” as she awaits a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging scan scheduled for later this week. Her fervent hope is that the diagnosis represents a form of cancer that is “something easy to treat.”
This current health battle comes at a particularly vulnerable time for Romano. It has been approximately 367 days since she was accidentally shot in the face with shotgun shrapnel while participating in a clay pigeon shooting event at a local range.
The effects of that incident are still present, with one bullet fragment remaining lodged behind her eye and another in her forehead. Surgeons deemed their removal too risky.
Reflecting on her current situation, Romano, who commands a significant following of 3.1 million on social media, emphasised the importance of faith. “Time to have a strong sense of faith and know that it’s in God’s hands, most of it,” she stated on Tuesday. She acknowledged that some might perceive her openness as an overreaction, but insisted, “I’m not because cancer’s pretty f***ing serious and I have two little girls. This is a very emotional post.”
Romano and her husband, Brendan Rooney, are parents to two daughters: Isabella, aged nine, and Sophia, who will be celebrating her seventh birthday this Wednesday. Rooney, a retired US Marine, offered his unwavering support to his wife. “You got this my beautiful wife,” he commented. “We will figure this out and destroy any problem that comes your way. I love you beyond words.”
The couple, who co-founded PodCo, met in 2011 while Romano was attending Barnard College. They recently celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary on December 31st. Romano also finds strength and camaraderie within her extensive mother’s group, who recently showed their support by donning matching silver outfits for a Backstreet Boys concert at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The decision to publicly announce her diagnosis was not an easy one for Romano. She confessed to debating whether to share the news, fearing she might “come off cringe.” However, she ultimately felt it was her “duty” to raise awareness and encourage the public to undergo regular cancer screenings.
Looking ahead, Romano is set to star as Nicole in Ryan Landels’ upcoming film Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True. The Hallmark Channel movie, which also features Lacey Chabert, Richard Kind, and Travis Van Winkle, is scheduled to premiere later this year. Production on Holiday Ever After concluded on January 29th and notably marked the first time a feature film was shot entirely within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Beyond her acting commitments, Romano is also a published author, currently penning a memoir. She maintains a strong presence as an influencer, engaging in paid partnerships with brands such as Method IQ, Shipt, and Sam’s Club.
Romano first rose to prominence for her role as Ren Stevens, the perfectionist younger sister to Shia LaBeouf’s character in the popular Disney Channel comedy series Even Stevens. The show aired for three seasons between 2000 and 2003. Her voice acting credits include portraying the titular crime-fighting character in the animated action-comedy Kim Possible, which ran on Disney for four seasons from 2002 to 2007.
