Centering the voices of African American women with cancer: A story circle approach to address communication disparities.

Purpose: African American women experience significant disparities in cancer outcomes, shaped not only by social determinants of health but also by persistent communication barriers within oncology care. This manuscript presents a trauma-informed, culturally grounded intervention - story circles - a narrative-based program designed to improve relational trust and mutual understanding between African American women with cancer and their oncology providers.

Approach: This article outlines the conceptual foundations, implementation strategy, and evaluation framework for story circles in oncology. The model integrates trauma-informed care, narrative medicine, and critical race theory, and is adapted from UNESCO and the Free Southern Theater's Story Circle Process. It is designed to support cross-cultural dialogue in a structured, inclusive setting.

Program description: Oncology social workers facilitate sessions of four to six participants using structured storytelling prompts and reflective dialogue. Participants include African American women with cancer and oncology providers. Each session emphasizes cultural humility, listening without judgment, and honoring lived experience. Story circles promote trust, and provider empathy, relational insight, and communication equity.

Implications: Story circles are a low-cost, scalable strategy that aligns with institutional health equity priorities and national quality standards and can be integrated into ongoing professional development and psychosocial oncology services. Oncology social workers are well-positioned to lead implementation. This model supports cultural responsiveness, strengthens communication, and can inform future quality improvement and policy initiatives.