21st February 2025

A 68-year-old retired construction worker presents to his GP with a 1-year history of worsening dyspnoea and a dry cough.

A 68-year-old retired construction worker presents to his GP with a 1-year history of worsening dyspnoea and a dry cough. He has no significant past medical history but is a smoker of 20 cigarettes a day. An X-ray of his chest demonstrates bilateral interstitial changes as well as areas of pleural thickening. He is referred by his GP to the respiratory clinic where a consultant confirms the diagnosis following lung function tests and a CT chest. The patient is concerned by the diagnosis and asks if there is anything that could be done to increase his life expectancy.

Which of the following interventions is most likely to improve this patient’s life expectancy?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.