Danielle Fishel said her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment motivated her to step out of her comfort zone and join the latest season of Dancing with the Stars.
The 44‑year‑old actress told People that once she completed cancer treatment she realized she wanted to pursue more experiences and joy in her life. "The minute I was done with my cancer treatment, I thought to myself, ‘If this has shown me anything, it has shown me that I am not experiencing enough joy in my life,'" Fishel said.
Fishel first disclosed her diagnosis in August 2024 on the Pod Meets World podcast she co‑hosts with former Boy Meets World co‑stars Will Friedle and Rider Strong. On the show she said she had been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, which she called "technically stage zero," later specifying it was high‑grade DCIS with micro‑invasion. She said doctors advised surgery to remove the affected tissue and follow‑up treatment.
Speaking to People, Fishel said she considered a double mastectomy but that doctors recommended a lumpectomy so she could "get back to my normal life as quickly as possible." She also described the toll of treatment, saying she underwent 20 rounds of chemotherapy that at times made it "hurt to be awake."
A year after revealing her diagnosis, Fishel was announced as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars season 34. She is partnered with professional dancer Pasha Pashkov. The season, which includes a mix of celebrities from entertainment and social media, is scheduled to premiere Sept. 16 on ABC.
Fishel said the invitation to compete felt timely and appropriate after the period of treatment and recovery. "I'm going through every day, performing tasks and being there for my family and being there for work. Where's the fun?" she told People. "When they asked me to do this, I was like, ‘This is the perfect way to cap it off.'"
Fishel is best known for portraying Topanga Lawrence on the 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World and now co‑hosts Pod Meets World with Friedle and Rider Strong. The podcast has served as a platform for Fishel to discuss personal milestones and health updates with fans and former castmates.
Producers have announced other contestants for the season, including Hilaria Baldwin, Dylan Efron, influencer Alix Earle and reality personalities Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck. Fishel’s decision to compete follows a growing trend of public figures using high‑profile projects to mark personal recoveries or life transitions.
Fishel has said she expects to continue routine monitoring and follow‑up care while pursuing the show. Her comments to People emphasized gratitude for the support she received from family, friends and former co‑stars during her diagnosis and recovery, and framed the DWTS appearance as part of a return to active, joy‑centered living.