Relative survival rate

Relative Survival Rate

The Relative survival rate is a specific measure used in the field of epidemiology to provide a more accurate representation of survival rates in cancer patients. It is calculated by comparing the observed survival in a group of individuals with a specific disease to the expected survival in a similar group of individuals from the general population who do not have the disease.

Calculation[edit | edit source]

The relative survival rate is calculated by dividing the observed survival rate in the patient group by the expected survival rate in the general population. The expected survival rate is typically obtained from life tables that are specific to the population in terms of age, sex, and race.

Use in Cancer Research[edit | edit source]

In cancer research, the relative survival rate is often used to estimate the excess mortality that is due to cancer. This is because it takes into account the mortality that is expected in the general population, and therefore provides a more accurate measure of the impact of cancer on survival.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While the relative survival rate is a useful measure, it has some limitations. For example, it assumes that the mortality rates in the general population are applicable to the patient group, which may not always be the case. In addition, it does not take into account other factors that may affect survival, such as comorbidities or treatment effects.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Relative survival rate Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.