Final answer:
HPV strains are classified as high or low risk according to their potential to cause cancer. Some strains, such as HPV 16 and HPV 18, have a higher risk of causing cervical cancer. However, not all HPV strains cause cancers.
Step-by-step explanation:
HPV strains are classified as high or low risk according to their potential to cause cancer. The low-risk forms of HPV may cause genital warts, while the high-risk strains are associated with the development of cervical cancer. In particular, HPV 16 and HPV 18 have been linked to more than 70 percent of all cervical cancer diagnoses. The body is sometimes able to clear HPV infections, but in some individuals, the infection can persist and lead to the development of precancerous changes. Therefore, not all HPV strains cause cancers.