Danielle Fishel announces successful breast cancer surgery months after revealing diagnosis
Actress Danielle Fishel recently shared a positive health update months after she revealed her cancer diagnosis. The 43-year-old actress first shared that she had been diagnosed with an early stage breast cancer during the August 19 episode of her Pod Meets World podcast.
Specifically, Fishel shared that she has a non-invasive form of breast cancer called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. She previously said in the podcast that it's "technically stage zero" breast cancer. She assured fans that she was "going to be fine." The actress also added that she would undergo surgery to remove the cancer.
On Tuesday, October 15, Danielle Fishel chatted with Today. She shared a positive health update, saying:
"There is no evidence of disease, so the surgery was successful and got the cancer out of my body."
Danielle Fishel revealed that she underwent two lumpectomy surgeries to remove the cancer. She chose the procedure over getting a double mastectomy for two reasons.
First, she said that she didn't have the genetic markers that would make her a candidate for getting a double mastectomy. Second, lumpectomy has a quicker recovery period.
Danielle Fishel says "cancer [is] a journey" and details her recovery plan after surgery
During her Today appearance, Danielle Fishel, who is married to Jensen Karp, reflected on her cancer journey and the successful surgery. She said:
"They call cancer a journey for a reason. It's not just a walk in and have even one procedure and then you're done."
She said that she got her DCIS diagnosis on July 22 and started meeting with her doctors to find a suitable treatment plan by the last week of July.
And speaking of "journey," the actress detailed the continued treatment plan to make sure that the cancer would not come back. She said that after her lumpectomy, she will start taking hormone therapy pills and will potentially have to undergo radiation.
The Boy Meets World star also explained that her condition is being "constantly monitored," and that includes having mammograms at least every three to six months.
Annual MRIs might also potentially be in her schedule. Her cancer battle might be a journey, but the actress is thankful that she caught the disease early. She said on the show:
"I was so lucky that I found my cancer so early because I went and had my annual mammogram on time. I was thinking, like, 'Great. I caught it early. I can be done with this soon.'"
However, she also admitted that "there really is no 'done with it'" with cancer, and that has been an "emotional and mental process" for the actress.
Elsewhere in the interview, Fishel explained that part of the reason she pushed through the lumpectomy, with its short recovery time, is because she had to restart work by August.
She had her diagnosis by June 22 and had to start working on Lopez vs. Lopez by August 21 because she had to direct five episodes for the sitcom. So far, the actress has directed three episodes for the comedy series, one for its first season and two for its second season's April 9 double-header.
Lopez vs. Lopez season 3 is slated to premiere on October 18, which will feature more of Danielle Fishel's directing works.
