Danielle Fishel shared on Monday’s episode of “Pod Meets World“—a podcast she co-hosts with former “Boy Meets World” co-stars Will Friedle and Rider Strong—that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Fishel, best known for her role as Topanga Lawrence on the hit TV series, carved a niche for herself in the entertainment industry with nostalgia and charm.
Fishel explained on the podcast, “I would like to share something with our listeners, something that Rider and Will were actually two of the first people I told the news to. I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer.”
“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 continued. “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, with the 50 jobs I have and the two kids and the husband and the house, to say, ‘I don’t have time for that. I went to my mammogram last year, I was fine last year, I don’t need to go again this year.’”
Fishel entered the spotlight at a young age, capturing the hearts of audiences with her portrayal of the intelligent and spirited Topanga. Her character, who started as a guest appearance, quickly became a central figure due to Fishel’s compelling performance and undeniable chemistry with co-star Ben Savage, who played Cory Matthews.
Following the conclusion of “Boy Meets World” in 2000, after seven successful seasons, Fishel continued to pursue acting but also expanded her horizons. She ventured into television directing and hosting. She reprised her role as Topanga in the “Boy Meets World” spinoff, “Girl Meets World,” which aired from 2014 to 2017. The sequel series allowed her to reintroduce Topanga to a new generation, this time as a supportive mother and successful career woman.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s time. Got to make that appointment.’ And they found it so, so, so early that I’m going to be fine,” Fishel said. “I don’t have all the answers yet,” she said to her co-hosts. “I still have doctors I need to meet with, oncologists, radiation specialists, hormone therapists, all kinds of stuff that I have still in front of me to decide.” The podcast has become a platform not only for reminiscing about past experiences but also for discussing current personal challenges.
Off the set, Fishel has made headlines for her educational pursuits and personal life. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in psychology, an achievement that speaks to her dedication to personal growth and intellectual curiosity. Her personal life, including her marriages and family, has often been featured in the media, adding to her relatable and down-to-earth public persona.
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