JC Olivera/Getty Images
Danielle Fishel, the actor who starred in the 90s hit sitcom ‘Boy Meets World’ as Topanga Lawrence, has revealed that she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on August 21 to reflect Fishel’s message to fans following her breast cancer revelation.
According to Page Six, the 43-year-old revealed her diagnosis during a recently released episode of her podcast, ‘Pod Meets World.’ The outlet adds that Fishel hosts the show with her former co-stars Rider Strong and Will Friedle.
“I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer,” Fishel explained on the episode. “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.”
The 43-year-old reportedly reassured her co-hosts and listeners that she is “going to be fine.”
“I’m going to be fine. I’m having surgery to remove it,” she reportedly explained, per US Weekly. “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.”
Page Six reports that DCIS can occur when the cells inside a breast duct “develop changes” in their DNA and lead to the presence of “too many cells.” Furthermore, the outlet adds that Fishel noted that the “only reason” she decided to share this information with the public was to “encourage” everyone to stay on top of their health.
“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. “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.”
Social media users reacted to Fishel’s announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Furthermore, the official account of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation wrote:
“We are sad to learn that actress Danielle Fishel has been diagnosed with breast cancer… We are wishing Danielle a smooth recovery and grateful she is sharing the importance of screening and early detection.”
On Tuesday, August 21, Fishel took to Instagram to share a video message for her fans following her breast cancer revelation. The 43-year-old explained that she wanted to thank fans from the bottom of her heart “for the enormous outpouring of love and support and encouragement” she’s received since the announcement.
Fishel reiterated that she “only talked about it publicly” because she knows how “unbelievably important” it was that she found her cancer when she did.
“And I found it very early. It is non-invasive and it is stage zero,” she affirmed. “And the only reason we found it that early is because I prioritized myself into making sure I got a mammogram.”
Furthermore, the actor explained that her revelation has inspired many people to make their own appointments. Fishel also let it be known that her message doesn’t only apply to women.
“Men, stay on top of your testing as well,” she said. “If you have those yearly exams that you’re supposed to be getting, go and get them.”
Watch her full message to fans below.
As The Shade Room previously reported, CNN anchor Sara Sidner made headlines in January. At the time, the 52-year-old revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
According to the Keep A Breast Foundation, Black women are 41% more likely to pass away from the ailment. Despite this, Sidner noted that her diagnosis is “not a death sentence.”
In June, Sidner returned to the live broadcast on CNN and revealed that she had undergone a double mastectomy.
