My pap came back negative, but hpv was positive. i have a biopsy scheduled. why do a biopsy, if pap was negative? could it mean i could have cancer?

PAP smear gets surface cells; with HPV being positive, it is better to get a biopsy and to have a closer look at the cervix so a targeted biopsy of what looks abnormal may increase the chances of earlier detection of changes that HPV could cause. HPV may cause changes that are abnormal without being cancer, and the detection may help in preventing development of cancer.