A Parametric Estimate of the Standard Error of the Survival Rate
Abstract This paper proposes a simplification of Greenwood's estimate of the standard error of the survival rate. The simplifying assumptions are (a) that cases enter the follow-up study at a uniform rate, (b) there are no losses to follow-up, and (c) the mortality risk for successive follow-up intervals is constant. Numerical examples drawn from cancer registry data indicate that the proposed estimate yields acceptable results under certain realistic circumstances despite some marked deviations from the simplifying assumptions. A table is given for rapid estimation of the standard error of the survival rate.