'Boy Meets World' star Danielle Fishel reveals breast cancer diagnosis

WASHINGTON (TND) — One of the stars of the 90s television show "Boy Meets World" revealed she was recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer during the latest episode of her podcast "Pod Meets World."

Danielle Fishel, 43, who played Topanga, shared the news with her co-hosts and former co-stars Rider Strong and Will Friedle in the episode released Monday, Aug. 19.

"So I would like to share something with our listeners I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands forductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer," she said. "It is very, very, very early. It's technically stage zero. I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS with micro invasion. And I'm going to be fine, I'm having surgery to remove it."

Fishel went on to explain her decision to share the news was the realization that she could help others with her story after reading the work of author Glennon Doyle.

She added that as she has gotten older she tried to learn from the experiences of others.

"She (Doyle) often talks about how a lot of people like to save sharing their experiences until they have come out on the other side of it. But the place you have the most to learn from is the beginning of a story or in the very messy middle of a story," Fishel explained.

The actress added doctors were able to catch the DCIS early because of a reminder on her phone to schedule her annual mammogram.

"I want to share this because I hope that it will encourage anyone to get in there," she said. "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."

DCIS, according to breastcancer.org, is also known as stage 0 breast cancer and is not life-threatening.

"DCIS isn’t life-threatening, but if you’re diagnosed with DCIS, you have a higher risk of developing invasive breast cancer later in life."

Strong and Friedle were among the first people to know about her diagnosis and offered her love and encouragement.

"We love you, and you know that we've got you. Whatever you need, we're here," Friedle said. "You are going to be fine, and you might have some sucky days coming up, but we're here for you."