CUPID will establish a research program and knowledge base to improve this situation in the European Union and beyond. Among the European population of people with intellectual disabilities, many cancer diagnoses are symptomatic, resulting from behavioral distress or physical changes. Cancer mortality in this population is up to 20 years earlier than in the general population. The inclusion of this population in healthcare is influenced by a number of external and internal factors, which have long-term consequences for health. External factors include diagnostic overshadowing, paternalism, and delays in cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. For individuals, communication difficulties, cognitive abilities, and decision-making abilities affect their inclusion in healthcare. Collaboration with research communities and service providers in the EU needs to be developed in a timely manner to reach consensus on addressing these challenges. 

CUPID is establishing active working partnerships with academics, researchers, non-governmental organizations, caregivers, people with intellectual disabilities, and policymakers. CUPID will establish a research program and exchange information on cancer prevention in the population of people with intellectual disabilities. Short-term scientific exchanges, training schools, conferences, and seminars with a hybrid approach will explore the issues raised. Other sources of funding for the network will not support such activities.