There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that some of the nutrients discussed in the previous article, possibly by virtue of their antioxidant effect, have a role to play in the prevention of a number of diseases, including cancer and coronary heart disease. The induction of the cancer process involves, among other things, damage to DNA. There is much evidence that this type of damage can be evoked by free radicals and so the possible role of free radicals must be considered seriously as a factor in the initiation of cancer.