“Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel has opened up about a recent breast cancer diagnosis on her podcast, “Pod Meets World.” At 43, the actress shared the news that she was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer.
“I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ,” Fishel revealed during the Aug. 19 episode. “It’s very, very, very early—technically stage zero.”
Fishel further explained that her diagnosis was “high-grade DCIS with micro-invasion,” and she’s currently planning surgery to remove the affected tissue.
Fishel explained why she decided to go public with the news.
“I thought I’d prefer to suffer in silence and only tell people after I’d beaten it,” she admitted. However, after reflecting on Glennon Doyle’s writings, Fishel realized the importance of sharing her experience during the “messy middle” rather than after the fact. Her hope is that by speaking out, she’ll encourage others to prioritize their health and get regular check-ups.
“They found it so, so, so early that I’m going to be fine,” Fishel reassured her audience. “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 cancer, find out when it’s at stage 0, if possible.”
The actress is currently consulting with multiple specialists, including oncologists, radiation experts, and hormone therapists, to determine the best course of action. While acknowledging that the situation could impact her upcoming work—she recently directed three episodes of NBC’s “Lopez vs. Lopez”—Fishel remains optimistic about her prognosis.
Her “Boy Meets World” co-stars and podcast co-hosts, Rider Strong and Will Friedle, were among the first to hear the news. Showing their unwavering support, Friedle offered, “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.”
