[Sem: a suitable statistical software adaptated for research in oncology]

Many softwares have been adapted for medical use; they rarely enable conveniently both data management and statistics. A recent cooperative work ended up in a new software, Sem (Statistics Epidemiology Medicine), which allows data management of trials and, as well, statistical treatments on them. Very convenient, it can be used by non professional in statistics (biologists, doctors, researchers, data managers), since usually (excepted with multivariate models), the software performs by itself the most adequate test, after what complementary tests can be requested if needed. Sem data base manager (DBM) is not compatible with usual DBM: this constitutes a first protection against loss of privacy. Other shields (passwords, cryptage...) strengthen data security, all the more necessary today since Sem can be run on computers nets. Data organization enables multiplicity: forms can be duplicated by patient. Dates are treated in a special but transparent manner (sorting, date and delay calculations...). Sem communicates with common desktop softwares, often with a simple copy/paste. So, statistics can be easily performed on data stored in external calculation sheets, and slides by pasting graphs with a single mouse click (survival curves...). Already used over fifty places in different hospitals for daily work, this product, combining data management and statistics, appears to be a convenient and innovative solution.