HPV causes cancer, and can be preventedWhat do warts, pap smears, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, and a vaccine all have in common? Three letters: HPV Human papillomavirus ( HPV) is a common virus that can cause growths on skin and mucous membranes. There are over one hundred different types of HPV, and while some cause common warts, others can cause cancer.HPV may be sprea...