Boy Meets World alum Danielle Fishel has been diagnosed with a form of breast cancer.
Fishel, 43, shared the news on the Monday, August 19, episode of the Boy Meets World rewatch podcast, “Pod Meets World,” which she cohosts with former costars Rider Strong and Will Friedle.
“I would like to share something with our listeners, something that Rider and Will were two of the first people I told the news to,” Fishel opened Monday’s episode. “I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer. It is very, very, very early. It’s technically stage zero. To be specific, just because I like too much information all the time, I was diagnosed with high-grade DCIS with micro-invasion.”
“I’m going to be fine. I’m having surgery to remove it,” Fishel added. “I’m going to be on some follow-up treatment. I’ve had to make a lot of decisions over the last couple of days.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, DCIS occurs when cells inside a breast duct “develop changes in their DNA,” leading to too many cells. “In DCIS, the cancer cells don’t yet have the ability to break out of the breast duct and spread into the breast tissue,” per the Mayo Clinic.
Fishel said she decided to share her experience with listeners to encourage them to get mammograms when their appointments are due or book one if they have not had one before.
“The only reason I caught this cancer when it is still stage zero is because the day I got my text message that my yearly mammogram had come up, I made the appointment,” she explained. “They found it so, so, so early that I’m going to be fine. I hope it will encourage anyone to get in there.”
“If you have to find out you have cancer, find out at stage zero if possible,” Fishel added.
The actress — who played Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World and spinoff Girl Meets World — said she is in the initial stages of receiving treatment.
“I have some big decisions ahead of me about what I want to do for treatment. I don’t have all the answers yet,” Fishel explained, noting that she plans to meet with an oncologist and radiation therapist among other medical experts.
“I did want to let our dear listeners know,” said Fishel. “We’re going to try and have it not affect things, but [there are] possibilities we may have to put things on hold depending on what treatments I go through.”
As well as Strong and Friedle, Fishel noted that among the first people she shared the news with were her husband Jensen Karp — with whom she shares sons Adler, 5, and Keaton, 2 — her parents and brother.
Strong, who played Shawn Hunter on Boy Meets World, and Friedle (who played Eric Matthews) both rallied around their cohost.
“It’s mindboggling. Right now, my wife and I know four people — four friends — who are dealing with breast cancer,” said Strong, encouraging fans to “get checked.”
“For men, too, prostate exams and colonoscopies … don’t put them off,” Friedle added.
Addressing Fishel, Friedle said: “We’re so glad you didn’t [put it off] because you are going to be fine. You might have some sucky days, but we’re here for you.”
