Applying Critical Feminist and Critical Race Theory to Address the Cultural and Financial Needs of Black/African American Women With Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Black/African American women with breast and gynecologic cancers face stark end-of-life (EOL) inequities rooted in structural racism, gendered oppression, and financial toxicity. Despite abundant evidence of outcome gaps, theory-driven guidance for equitable, culturally responsive EOL care is limited. This narrative review argues for integrating Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Critical Feminist Theory (CFT) into EOL care frameworks to address the cultural and financial needs of Black/African American women. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from healthcare, philosophy, sociology, and economics, we examined systemic barriers at the end of life, critiqued current care models, and illustrated how CRT and CFT provide transformative frameworks for clinical practices, research, and policy reform. We summarize philosophical views of death and dying and cultural perspectives on grief and end-of-life practices, then analyze disparities in death, dying, and EOL care especially financial inequities and roles of structural racism and gender-based oppression. Finally, we presented how CRT and CFT illuminate the complex interplay of race, gender, and socioeconomic status and inform structural transformation. Embedding CRT and CFT in healthcare systems is essential to advancing inclusive, justice-oriented EOL care models that reflect lived realities and promote dignity, equity, and culturally attuned support.