What You Need to Know About HPV and HPV Testing Good news! Unlike most cancers, cervical cancer can be prevented. However, most women don't know that the Pap test may not find abnormal cells in the cervix until cancer already has developed. Luckily there's a new test you can have along with your Pap to detect the virus that causes those abnormal cells. It's called the human papillomavirus test (HPV test). HPV is the cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer. Take ...