Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with causing cervical cancer in most cases. It is sexually transmitted. Certain strains of the virus cause typical cervical cancer to become abnormal. Not all types of HPV causes cervical cancer as more than 200 types of HPV exist.
Doctors have classified HPV broadly into two categories: HPV types 6 and 11 causes genital warts. They are low risk and not associated with causing cancer.
In contrast, HPV types 16 and 18 are considered as high-risk types, and they are related to the majority of cancer types, including cervical cancer. HPV and initial cervical cancer are usually asymptomatic; however, if a doctor diagnoses the presence of abnormal cells during regular checkups, in that case, you should be tested for HPV.