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Conditional survival analyses across cancer sites
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Survival estimates are typically presented as the probability—or the ratio of observed and expected probabilities in the case of relative survival—of surviving a given length of time (for example, five years) after diagnosis. However, these estimates are less informative for people who have survived one or more years, as the risk of death due to cancer is often greatest in the first few years. After this initial period, the prognosis can improve substantially, so the earlier estimates no longer apply.6 The outlook for such people can be estimated more appropriately using conditional survival.
For the first time in Canada, predicted conditional relative survival estimates are presented for a large number of cancers. Cancers with the greatest relative improvement in prognosis since diagnosis are highlighted. Cancers showing less improvement are also identified. (See The data)