Danielle Fishel reveals early-stage breast cancer diagnosis, urges regular health check-ups.
Danielle Fishel, best known for her role as Topanga Lawrence on the popular 90s TV show Boy Meets World, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 43-year-old actress shared the news during the latest episode of her podcast, Pod Meets World, which was released on Monday, August 19.
Fishel disclosed that she was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which she explained is in the very early stages. “It is very, very, very early. It’s technically stage zero,” she said.
Fishel noted that her diagnosis is classified as high-grade DCIS with microinvasion, but she reassured listeners that she is going to be fine, as she is scheduled to have surgery to remove it.
In addition to surgery, Fishel will also undergo some follow-up treatments as part of her care plan.
The actress credited her early diagnosis to staying on top of her regular health check-ups, specifically her yearly mammograms. She emphasized that the early detection was crucial in catching the cancer before it progressed further.
“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,” Fishel shared.
She used her story as a reminder of the importance of routine health screenings, even when life feels too busy to prioritize them.
Fishel explained that she initially considered keeping her diagnosis private, confiding only in her closest friends and family. However, after reflecting on her experience and speaking with others who have faced similar challenges, she decided to go public with her story.
She found that sharing her diagnosis early on could provide valuable support and resources, both for herself and for others who might be going through similar experiences.
“For some reason, I had always thought [if I were diagnosed with cancer], I would suffer in silence. I would get the diagnosis, I would not tell anyone,” Fishel admitted. “But the place you have the most to learn from is at the very beginning of a story or in the very messy middle of a story.
My first instinct when I was diagnosed was to do that clam-up thing, but then what I realized is the more people I talk to, the more people have their own experiences.”
As she navigates her treatment and recovery, Fishel mentioned that her podcasting schedule might need to be adjusted. She assured her audience that her focus will remain on her health, but she also expressed a desire to use her platform to encourage others to take care of themselves.
“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,” she said.
Fishel’s decision to speak openly about her diagnosis is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of early detection and regular screenings.
She hopes that by sharing her story, others will be reminded to prioritize their health and make time for those vital check-ups that could save their lives.
