Radiation- One of the first known mutagens, radiation is a potent inducer of mutations. Different types of radiation cause different types of genetic changes. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes point mutations. X-rays can cause breaks in the DNA double-helix and lead to translocations, inversions and other types of chromosome damage. Exposure to the UV rays in sunlight has been linked to skin cancer. Note that the DNA damaging properties of radiation have been utilized in several different radiation-based cancer treatments.