'Boy Meets World' Star Danielle Fishel, 43, Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Michelle Milliken
Danielle Fishel, best known for playing Topanga Lawrence on "Boy Meets World", has breast cancer.
Fishel, 43, shared the news on the most recent episode of her podcast "Pod Meets World", which she co-hosts with fellow "Boy Meets World" stars Rider Strong and Will Friedle, who played Shawn Hunter and Eric Matthews, respectively.
According to Fishel, she’s been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, a very early form of the disease, and her prognosis is good.
She said, "I’m going to be fine. I’m having surgery to remove it. I’m going to be on some follow-up treatment."
She’s meeting with oncologists, radiation specialists, and hormone therapists to decide on a treatment course. According to the American Cancer Society, DCIS is a non-invasive or pre-invasive form of breast cancer, also known as stage 0, that accounts for about 1 in 5 new breast cancer cases. ACS says nearly all women with this diagnosis can be cured.
On the podcast, Fishel said she always thought that if she were diagnosed with cancer, she’d keep it to herself and only a small circle, only sharing after her treatment was done. However, she changed her mind when she chatted with others who had gone through the experience and because she was inspired to help women at the beginning and “messy middle” of a challenge. She also hopes her story encourages people to get their screenings.
She explains, “The only reason I caught this cancer when it is still stage 0 is because the day I got my text message that my yearly mammogram had come up, I made the appointment.”
She adds, “The fact that I am good about going to my doctor's appointments when, truthfully, it would be so much easier with as busy as I am … it would be so easy to say, ‘I don't have time for that. I went to my mammogram last year, I was fine…’ And I didn't … and they found it so early that I’m going to be fine.”
Fishel, who is married with two children – Adler, 5, and Keaton, who will turn 3 at the end of the month – says she may need to step back from the podcast and some of her other work while she’s in treatment. In addition to playing Topanga on "Boy Meets World" and its revival "Girl Meets World", she’s also done some work as a producer and has most recently directed episodes of "Lopez vs. Lopez".
Her podcast crew, though, will be there for her every step of the way, even if she has to take a step back.
Friedle said, “We love you, and you know that we’ve got you. Whatever you need, we’re here. You are going to be fine, and you might have some sucky days coming up, but we’re here for you.”
