Doctors are reminding men over 40 during September's Prostate Awareness Month to talk with their physicians about early detection for prostate cancer.

Dionisio Philips is a survivor. He believes an early diagnosis for the condition helped to save his life.

"I'm cancer free right now. Yes, I am," Philips says. "Seeing my family members is the biggest, biggest thing. Just knowing that you're able to see your kids, your grandkids, parents, sister and live life," Dionisio Phillips says.

With September marking Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, doctors are urging men over the age of 40 to get screened, especially those who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Doctor Alfred Winkler is one of the physicians at New York Prebyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital who helped treat Philips.

Dr. Winkler says it's even more important for men over 40 to talk with their doctor about prostate cancer because the condition has no overt symptoms. He says men of color have a greater risk of prostate cancer.

"African-American & Afro-Caribbean men we ask in particular think about their own and find out about their own health history as much as from the family and consider getting screen starting in their 40s."

In Phillip's' case, thanks to early detection, doctors were able to treat the cancer before it spread to other parts his body. He's now in recovery after getting his prostate removed. Phillips, who has a family history of prostate cancer, is urging other men to get tested.

"Just go get screened. It's easy. It's not a painful thing. It's something between you and your doctor," Philips says.

MORE: September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. 5 things to know to about the potentially deadly disease