Finding Support
VOTRIENT® (pazopanib) tablets
Create a circle of support
You may feel powerless over what’s happening in your body. It may help to talk with your health care provider about emotions you may be experiencing. It may also be helpful to create a circle of support and surround yourself with people who care about you and can help you cope with your condition.
Your circle of support can include:
- Your health care provider or other members of your cancer team
- Friends
- Family members
- A support group
- Other people who have cancer

Find a support group
You may feel all alone if you are the only person you know with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. When you’re feeling down and alone, it may help to talk to a friend, family member, or a patient support group. Click here for a list of patient support groups.

Ask for help
Being reliant upon others for support can sometimes make you feel like you’ve lost your independence, but don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Communicating with your cancer care team
Many different people may be working with you along the way and become part of your cancer care team. To give you the help and support you need, your cancer care team members need to know how you are doing. It’s important that you ask how and when you can reach them between appointments in case you have any questions.

Always let your health care providers know:
- If you are having symptoms or potential side effects
- The exact symptoms you have, when they happen, and how long they last
- What, if anything, makes the symptoms better or worse
Tips for caregivers: sharing your strength
Caring for someone with cancer is an important responsibility. It takes energy and dedicated effort each day. You may:
- Provide encouragement and support
- Help keep other family members informed about what’s going on
- Help with household chores and cooking meals
- Take care of medical insurance paperwork and pay bills
- Help with organizing medicines, going to doctor appointments, or meeting with the cancer care team
Being a care partner requires a lot of energy and can be tiring. You need to take time to care for yourself. Your own needs are important, too. Consider these ideas to help you cope:
- Spend time with people who love and support you
- Join a social activity
- Practice relaxation methods, such as yoga or meditation
- Eat well-balanced, healthy meals
- Try to fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program
- At least once a week, set aside some time to do something you enjoy
Support and resources
The following is a list of some organizations that offer information and support for people living with cancer and their care partners. You may find other online resources useful as well, such as patient support groups specific to advanced soft tissue sarcoma. Novartis is neither affiliated with nor endorses any of these organizations and does not control, and is not responsible for, the information they provide. Any information you get from these organizations is not meant to replace your health care provider’s medical advice.
Sarcoma organizations and websites
Sarcoma Alliance
www.sarcomaalliance.org
1-415-381-7236
Sarcoma Foundation of America
www.curesarcoma.org
1-301-253-8687
National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation
www.nlmsf.org
1-303-783-0924
National cancer resources
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
1-800-227-2345
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Association of Cancer Online Resources
www.acor.org
1-212-226-5525
CancerCare
www.cancercare.org
1-800-813-HOPE (1-800-813-4673)
Mobile and digital tools
Cancer.net Mobile
Available at www.cancer.net/app, this interactive tool helps keep track of questions to ask health care providers, among other features
Lotsa Helping Hands
Available at www.lotsahelpinghands.com, this tool helps with organizing aspects of your care, such as appointments, daily needs, etc.
Caregiver support
Family Caregiver Alliance
www.caregiver.org
1-800-445-8106
CancerCare
www.cancercare.org
1-800-813-HOPE (1-800-813-4673)
Cancer Support Community
www.cancersupportcommunity.org
1-888-793-9355