What analysis technique compares actual survival rates of cancer patients to expected survival rates of a healthy population?

Relative survival analysis is the correct technique for comparing the actual survival rates of cancer patients to the expected survival rates of a healthy population. This method is essential in oncology because it accounts for the effect of cancer on survival while considering the background mortality rates in the general population.

By using relative survival analysis, researchers can determine how much the cancer impacts survival by observing how many more deaths occur among the cancer patients than would be expected based on age, sex, and other demographic factors in the general population. This approach provides a clearer picture of the true impact of the cancer on patient survival and facilitates assessment of treatment effectiveness.

The other analysis techniques listed do serve important roles in oncology data analysis but do not focus on comparing cancer patients' survival to the general population's expected survival. Cohort analysis typically looks at a group of individuals over time to assess outcomes or characteristics without necessarily involving relative survival comparisons. Survival benchmarking involves comparing a specific institution's survival outcomes to established standards, while comparative survival analysis is more focused on comparing outcomes within or between different patient groups rather than against a healthy population baseline.