Danielle Fishel, 'Boy Meets World' star, reveals breast cancer diagnosis
FILE - Danielle Fishel speaks onstage at the Boy Meets World 25th Anniversary Reunion Panel during the New York Comic Con 2018 at Javits Center on October 5, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Danielle Fishel, the beloved lead of the popular ‘90s sitcom "Boy Meets World," revealed a shocking health update.
Fishel, 43, revealed on Monday's episode of "Pod Meets World" that she has been diagnosed with DCIS, a form of breast cancer.
What is DCIS cancer?
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) means the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast have become cancerous, but they have not spread into surrounding breast tissue, according to the American Cancer Society.
Johns Hopkins Medicine says DCIS can be treated with surgery, sometimes with radiation and medicine, and that chemotherapy is not needed.
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Danielle Fishel breast cancer
Fishel shared that her DCIS was found "very, very, very early."
"It’s technically stage zero," she said, and reiterated several times that she’s going to be fine.
She shared that she will be having surgery to remove it and will be on some follow-up treatments that are still being discussed.
"I’ve had to make a lot of decisions over the last couple of days," she said.
She also shared that she initially wanted to keep this private, and maybe only speak about what happened once she had gone through treatment.
But she said learning from others’ experiences is what motivated her to go public about her health.
"The world of resources and experiences that can be shared by sharing it, and things that can be learned - 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 said.
"I want to share this because I hope that it will encourage anyone to get in there," she continued. "If it’s time for your appointment, if you’ve never had an appointment before, get in there. If you have to find out that you have to have cancer, find out when it’s at stage zero, if possible."
Mammogram screening
The American Cancer Society provides the following guidelines for mammogram screening:
- Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
- Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
- All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening – what the test can and cannot do.
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"Pod Meets World" podcast
Fishel shares the "Pod Meets World" podcast with former co-stars Will Friedle and Rider Strong. The trio is rewatching and discussing every episode, and sharing memories and behind the scenes moments.
Friedle and Strong, who played Eric and Shawn on "Boy Meets World" alongside Fishel's Topanga, voiced their support for her after she shared her health news.
She gave listeners a heads up that their podcast schedule might shift as she faces treatment, but Friedle and Strong assured her that that was "the last thing" she should worry about.