CLEVELAND — Phil Davis showed off a quart-size baggy filled with numerous medications.

“For about four years, this is what I had to endure,” he said.

That, along with radiation treatment and countless side effects after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016.

It was discovered when he went to the emergency room with bladder problems.

“But when they got to the bottom of it, my PSA number was extremely high,” Davis said.

PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is made by the prostate gland. After a biopsy, Davis was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I was told to get my affairs in order because I would not live until 2019, that it was a wrap. If I can get one person to go in and get it checked early, then mission accomplished,” he said.

“A lot of the guidelines where they used to say a digital rectal exam is strongly recommended, they now say it’s optional,” said Dr. Randy Vince an urologic oncologist and Director of Minority Men’s Health at Cutler Center for Men at University Hospitals.

“We pick up far more men with prostate cancer by the blood test versus the digital exam,” he said.

Vince said he hopes more men realize the less invasive way to test for prostate cancer. He recommends men screen no later than the age of 50.

“If we catch cancer when it’s confined to (the) prostate, 100% of those patients are alive in five years,” Vince said.

Davis said he wishes he has listened to his body sooner.

“Probably back in 2015, I got an inkling that ‘this doesn’t feel right’ but being the man, I blow it off. That was my mistake,” Davis said.

He’s grateful to his team of doctors, including his therapist.

“You cannot discount the impact that having a severe medical diagnosis has on the psyche,” he said.

Davis was able to attend his daughter’s high school graduation and prom in 2019.

“Fortunately, the Grim Reaper blinked and I’m still here. Now, at some point I’m going to blink and it’s game over,” Davis said with a laugh. “But we’re going to delay that as long as possible.”