Survival Analysis Using SAS®: A Practical Guide

Introduction

Prior to 1970, the estimation of survivor functions was the predominant method of survival analysis, and whole books were devoted to its exposition (e. g., Gross and Clark 1975). Nowadays, the workhorse of survival analysis is the Cox regression method discussed in Chapter 5, “Estimating Cox Regression Models with PROC PHREG.” Nevertheless, survival curves are still useful for preliminary examination of the data, for computing derived quantities from regression models (like the median survival time or the five-year probability of survival), and for evaluating the fit of regression models. For very simple experimental designs, standard tests for comparing survivor functions across treatment groups may suffice for analyzing the data. ...