Christy Carlson Romano, the actress known for her roles as Ren Stevens in “Even Stevens” and as the voice of Kim Possible, revealed Tuesday she received positive results from a recent cancer screening. The 41-year-traditional shared the news in an emotional video posted to Instagram, explaining she and her husband, Brendan Rooney, underwent the screenings due to her family’s history with the disease.
“My husband’s came back completely negative,” Romano said in the video, pausing before continuing. “Mine did not come back negative. So basically what that means is that I may have stageable cancer.”
Romano’s mother and father both battled cancer, with her father ultimately succumbing to the illness. She also noted that her grandmother died of lung cancer, contributing to her decision to pursue preventative screening. The actress, who is a mother of two daughters, Isabella, 9, and Sofia, 7, expressed her fear and concern for her children.
The positive screening result necessitates a PET scan, an imaging test used to detect cancer and other conditions. However, Romano disclosed she is currently in a dispute with her insurance company to secure coverage for the scan.
Romano’s announcement comes less than two weeks after the death of actor James Van Der Beek, a friend and member of the Austin, Texas community where Romano resides. Van Der Beek, 48, died February 11th after a battle with colorectal cancer. Romano recounted her connection to Van Der Beek and his family’s dedication to charitable work, stating, “They always were raising money for the most amazing charities, and he’s not with us anymore, and cancer is everywhere, which is why I got this test.”
The actress, who hosts the podcast “Vulnerable,” admitted to feeling disbelief upon receiving the initial results, as she was actively filming a new project. She is also preparing to release a memoir, but acknowledged her current health concerns have shifted her focus.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 442 out of every 100,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
