christy carlson romano reveals positive cancer screening, says she’s 'nervous and a bit scared'

Former Disney star Christy Carlson Romano, 41, has publicly disclosed that a recent cancer screening returned a positive result. In a tearful video posted Feb. 17 (ET), Romano described the moment she learned the news, said she is arranging further testing and asked followers for support while she waits for answers.

Screening results and next steps

Romano said she and her husband underwent screenings because of a strong family history of cancer. She described her husband’s result as completely negative, then paused before revealing that her own result did not come back negative. She stressed that a positive screening result is not the same as a definitive diagnosis and that the next step is a PET scan, an imaging test that uses a tracer to look for abnormal metabolic activity that can indicate cancer.

The actress said she is currently pushing her insurance company to approve and cover the PET scan. She framed the moment bluntly: "Right now the news is that something is going on. " Romano added she debated whether to share the update publicly but ultimately felt a responsibility to encourage others to get screened, given the prevalence of cancer in many families.

Family history, faith and public reaction

Romano noted a significant family history of the disease: both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer, her mother survived while her father passed away, and a maternal grandmother died of lung cancer. She also cited the recent death of a friend in the acting community as a reminder of the threat cancer poses, which helped prompt her to get tested.

Emotionally, Romano said she’s "nervous and a bit scared, " and emphasized her role as a mother to two young daughters, ages 9 and 7. She framed her outlook with faith and practicality, saying she is taking things one day at a time and relying on the support of her family. In the post’s caption she asked for positive thoughts and promised to provide updates as she receives more information. Her husband offered public words of encouragement, pledging to fight any problem that comes their way.

Context and background

The announcement follows a turbulent period for Romano: more than a year earlier she revealed she was accidentally struck in the face by birdshot while accompanying her husband to a clay pigeon shooting outing. She described that incident as frightening but unintentional and used it to stress gun safety. Romano also noted that she is working on a memoir, which she said gives her additional focus amid uncertainty.

Romano’s decision to speak openly about a potentially frightening health update reflects a broader trend of public figures sharing medical developments to prompt awareness and action. She urged others not to delay screenings and framed transparency as a duty to her audience and to families who may be at risk.

She concluded her video by thanking family and friends for their support, committing to keep the public informed, and asking for continued positive energy as she navigates testing and insurance hurdles in the coming days and weeks.