Dictionary of Cancer Terms
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Relative survival rate (REH-luh-tiv ser-VY-vul …)
A way of comparing survival of people who have a specific disease with those who don’t. The percentage of survivors is usually determined at specific times, such as 2 years and 5 years after diagnosis or treatment. The relative survival rate shows whether the disease shortens life.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.