The BEACH program, a continuous national study of general practice activity in Australia, gives us an overview of consultations involving the management of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy. In this analysis we have included all bowel cancers; upper GI malignancies (stomach, oesophagus); and 'other' which include carcinomas of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, tongue and parotid gland. This synopsis provides a backdrop against which the theme articles in this issue of Australian Family Physician can be further considered.