strel2: A command for estimating excess hazard and relative survival in large population-based studies

In this article, we describe strel2, a Stata command for the estimation of excess hazard and relative survival in large population-based datasets. strel2 implements the maximum-likelihood estimation approach developed by Est`eve et al. (1990, Statistics in Medicine 9: 529–538) and assumes that the excess hazard is a piecewise constant function. Categorical covariates can be incorporated into the model, allowing the user to obtain interval- and covariate-specific estimates of the quantities of interest. Although alternative and more powerful commands for relative survival exist, strel2 is a simple tool that is particularly convenient for users who may not have strong statistical skills and want to analyze very large datasets. Copyright 2014 by StataCorp LP.