The call comes after a recent survey by the Association of European Cancer Leagues found remarkable variation in knowledge and awareness of the code and other cancer prevention information across Europe.
The code offers simple guidance for everyone, which can lead to a reduction of cancer risk of up to 50 per cent. However, the survey of over 6000 people from Finland, France, Spain, Poland and the UK shows that awareness of the code is generally low, with just 10 per cent of respondents indicating that they had heard of it.
In Poland, the situation was better than the average, as 17 per cent of people knew of it. In the UK, the figure was a paltry one per cent.
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The survey also found that large variation in the degree to which people feel cancer can be prevented, with only 20 per cent of respondents believing that either cancer could not be prevented at all or did not know what percentage of cancers are preventable.
Still, more than 50 per cent of respondents said they would change their behaviour had they known about the code.
Peterle, who chairs the cross-party MEPs Against Cancer group in the European Parliament, said, "Cancer burden could be reduced by up to one half if scientific knowledge on causes of cancer is translated into successful prevention.
"Actions to boost prevention are at hand, such as the European Code Against Cancer, a preventive tool aimed to reduce the cancer burden by informing people how to avoid or reduce carcinogenic exposures, adopt behaviours to reduce the cancer risk, or to participate in organised intervention programmes.
"The fourth edition of the code shall not only serve as recommendations for citizens but should also form a base to guide national health policies in cancer prevention particularly in times when consistent and stable framework for cooperative action is necessary for tackling the growing burden of chronic diseases.
Prevention - the theme of this year's Cancer Awareness Week - remains a "challenge and a strategic objective in striving for more Europe with less cancer," said Peterle.
Sakari Karjalainen, Secretary General of the Cancer Society of Finland, agreed on the need for more awareness of the code, saying, "The code is an essential tool for the general public of specific actions they can take to dramatically reduce the cancer risk.
"We all need to be reminded that nearly half of all deaths due to cancer in Europe could be prevented by following the code's straightforward messages.
"It is concerning to hear that awareness of this vital knowledge is worryingly low in some countries. We must increase our efforts at the local and national levels to communicate the code widely, and encourage governments for supportive policies and actions."
Further comment comes from Lisette van Vliet, senior advisor, Chemicals and Chronic Disease Prevention with the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), who said, "We encourage individuals to follow the European Code against Cancer, but many toxic chemicals are still getting into us from the products and infrastructure in our daily lives. So we also need swifter and stronger action at European policy level, national level, and corporate policy level for successful prevention of cancer."
Glyphosate, says HEAL, is a "probable human carcinogen used in pesticides, which is likely to be found every European from food, air and water."
She says EU countries can set an example by voting against glyphosate when a vote on its authorisation goes before the Commission's standing committee of plant animals food and feed (18 May).
As well such awareness-raising, prevention is seen as key to tackling cancer issues, including alcohol and obesity, two contributing causes of cancer.
The EU is the highest-drinking region in the world, with alcohol-related costs amounting to €155.8bn every year and there is a direct relationship between alcohol consumption and some cancers.
Obesity is a serious public health problem - the WHO says it has almost doubled worldwide since the 1980s - and it significantly increases the risk of certain cancers.
What is less well known, according to the Association of European Cancer Leagues, is that effective regulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can also help cut hormone-related cancers, including breast, prostate and testicular.
EDCs are mostly man-made and found in various materials such as pesticides, metals, additives or contaminants in food, and personal care products.
Curbing exposure to EDCs "should become a central part of cancer prevention strategy in Europe," believes Wendy Tse Yared, Director of the Association.