The portfolio is compromised of three parts: a systematic literature review; an empirical paper and appendices. Part one, the systematic literature review, looks at the pre-surgical psychological predictors of outcomes following breast cancer surgery. The review begins with a synthesis of background information relevant to the area, which leads to specific research questions. The review process is then outlined, results presented and synthesised in the discussion. Limitations of the review and ideas for further research are discussed. Part two, the empirical paper, describes a study that researches pre-surgical predictors of satisfaction following breast reconstructive surgery. The current literature in the field is introduced and reviewed, and hypotheses established. The methodology is then described, results presented and findings discussed in relation to theoretical models. Finally, limitations of the study and ideas for further research are described. Part three, the appendices, present relevant further information for parts one and two.